1544–1564 Dominican Republic 4 Maravedis – Santo Domingo Mint Charles & Joanna NGC VF20
Item Overview
An extraordinary piece of early American numismatic history! Struck at the Santo Domingo Mint in Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic) during the joint reign of King Charles I and Queen Joanna ("Carlos y Juana"), this copper 4 Maravedis represents part of the first base-metal coinage produced in the New World.
Santo Domingo copper issues from this era are far scarcer in problem-free straight grades than their silver counterparts or soil-recovered examples. Grading VF20 (Very Fine), this coin demonstrates light, even wear on high points with major legend lettering, central motifs, and fields remarkably intact.
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
| Issuer / Country | Spanish Colonial / Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) |
| Rulers | Charles I & Joanna ("Carlos y Juana") |
| Date Range | Circa 1544–1564 (Undated issue) |
| Denomination | 4 Maravedis (IIII) |
| Metal | Copper / Bronze |
| Mintmark | S-P (Santo Domingo) |
| Grade / Condition | VF20 (Very Fine 20) — Moderate, smooth wear across high points; clear central devices, denomination marks, and legends with appealing surface quality. |
Historical Significance
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First Mint in the Americas: Established by royal decree to alleviate severe currency shortages in the Caribbean colonies, the Santo Domingo mint operated decades before British settlement in North America.
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Iconic Colonial Motifs: Features the crowned shield/gothic initials on the obverse and the crowned Pillars of Hercules with the value mark IIII on the reverse.
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Collector Value: Finding 16th-century Caribbean coppers in clean, non-corroded VF20 condition is difficult, as the vast majority suffered heavy degradation in tropical soil or marine environments.
