Chile 1788-So DA 4 escudos
This specimen was lot 30399 in Heritage sale 3051 (New York, January 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Chile, Charles III gold 4 Escudos 1788 So-DA VF30 NGC, Santiago mint, An extremely rare issue, with a mintage of just 1,020 pieces, this charming example features fairly strong detail for the grade assigned, with a good deal of remaining luster. The degree of relief on the right side of the king's portrait is especially noticeable. Also noted is a lengthy die crack along the right side of the obverse, as well as some adjustment marks running across the king's neck. A great rarity." This type was struck 1773, 1776, 1781-88 but is much rarer than the contemporary eight escudos. 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.
Recorded mintage: 1,020.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.875 fine gold, .380 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-12729, KM 33, Fr-16.
- 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.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, and Cris Bierrenbach, NYINC Signature Sale: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2012.
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