Guatemala 1840-NG MA 2 escudos
This specimen was lot 24442 in Heritage sale 3030 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $5,287.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Central American Republic gold 2 Escudos 1840 NG-MA, UNC Details (Rim Filing) NGC. Rather than the rim filing mentioned in the slab, the cataloger sees a small metal test mark on the reverse at 10 o'clock. Other than that, a wonderful strike with all the tree leaves and the texture on the volcanoes present. A beautiful specimen of this extremely rare date, of which there are only three confirmed specimens, including the present piece and the Eliasberg specimen (MS62 for $16,100). All three known pieces were struck with the same pair of dies, so it would seem that few 2 Escudos were actually struck in 1840 at the Guatemala mint. Another key coin in this series. Ex. Caballero de las Yndias (Aureo 4/2009, lot 297 for 5,500 Euros). From The Isaac Rudman Collection of Guatemala Coins." This specimen was one of a type struck in Guatemala 1825-47 and sporadically in Costa Rica 1828-50. None of the two escudos are common but the 1825-28 issues are more available than the later dates. The type is listed in the SCWC under the Central American Republic. This federation was an attempt to unite all the former Spanish provinces of Central America into one country but collapsed amid recrimination and civil war.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 6.75 g, 0.875 fine gold, .190 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 12, Fr-28.
- 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 3030, featuring the RLM Collection, the Isaac Rudman Collection, the Hans Cook Collection and the Collection of Donald E. Bently, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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