Argentina 1813-PTS J 8 escudos
This specimen was lot 1001 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $55,200. All the early gold coins of the Argentine Republic are rare but this one is the king. The catalog description[1] noted,
"1813 J 8 escudos. Potosi mint. EF-40 (NGC). Radiant sun with face, legends around / arms, legends and date around. Medium gold with some subtle traces of lustre. An arc-shaped planchet flaw below UNION Y is noted. A legendary one year type, coined at Potosi and now known by only a handful of specimens. The latest edition of Calico's Onza book (2004) describes this issue as 'pocos ejemplares conocidos' or 'only a few examples known.' Most advanced collections lack this piece, including the famed American cabinets of Garrett, Newcomer, Karon, and Norweb. Even Ulex never acquired a specimen (though the cabinet did include an 1813 J 1 escudo). The latest offering KM notes is a May, 1989 sale by Superior of a coin graded choice VF. One of the great rarities of the Latin American onza series. From the John H. Clapp Collection; Clapp estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27 g, 0.875 fine gold, .760 troy oz AGW. This specimen: 26.88 grams, 34.70 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 9, Fr-1, Calico Onza-1558.
- [1]Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals, Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Janson, Hector Carlos, La Moneda Circulante En El Territorio Argentino, 1767-1998, Buenos Aires, 1998.
Link to:
- 1813 ½ real
- 1813 real
- 1813 2 reales
- 1813 4 reales
- 1813 8 reales
- Coins and currency dated 1813
- other specimens in The Eliasberg Collection
- return to coins of Argentina