Chile 1809-So FJ 8 escudos
This specimen was lot 20275 in Heritage sale 3021 (New York, January 2013), where it sold for $5,287.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Ferdinand VII gold 8 Escudos 1809-FJ, MS62 NGC Millennia Collection, fully lustrous with superb details, a most attractive example of the imaginary military bust utilized for the early issues of Ferdinand VII. Scarce and popular type, particularly in mint state." The specimen was one of a series struck 1808-11 during the reign of Ferdinand VII. It bears an imaginary bust of Ferdinand VII who, languishing in a French prison, was not available to have his portrait taken. In 1811 this bust was abandoned in favor of the bust of Charles IV with Ferdinand's name, which is odd, as the Charles IV bust was never used when he was actually king. This type is fairly common for Spanish colonial gold.
Recorded mintage: 41,000.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.875 fine gold, .761 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-16372, KM-72.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3021, featuring the Cecil Webster, Richard P. Ariagno and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2012.
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