Chile 1775-So DA 8 escudos
This specimen was lot 34235 in Heritage sale 3135 (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $5,856. The catalog description[1] noted, "Chile: Charles III gold 8 Escudos 1775 So-DA AU55 NGC, Santiago mint. A glittering, bright-lemon specimen that is truly a delight to behold. Drawing from a miniscule certified population, only two grade higher than this straight grade golden treasure." The type marked a debasement from 0.917 fine to 0.901 fine gold. Later issues of this type (1785-89) were struck in gold lowered to 0.875 fine. This type was struck 1772-89 and is the first type that can be called reasonably available. The government took over the mint in 1770 and enlarged it, increasing production plus the debasement of 1772 likely caused prior issues to be melted. Assayer DA is listed for 1772-1800.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.901 fine gold, .784 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-12872, KM 27, Cal-2149, Fr-15.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2026 September 1 - 5 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3135, featuring The Vila Rica Collection of Brazilian Gold Coins, Part II, and The Grundy Collection of Latin American and Spanish Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2026.
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