Jamaica (1773) 8 escudos
The island of Jamaica was captured by the British in 1655, and formally ceded to them in 1670 by the Treaty of Madrid. Foreign silver abounded in this colony rich in sugar and wealth pirated offshore. In 1773, to relieve the shortage of gold coinage, the government authorized the use of the Spanish 8 escudos coins. Some of the 8 escudos cobs available, however, were underweight and had to be plugged with additional metal. The work was thought to have been done privately.
This example was lot 24955 at Heritage sale 3014 (Chicago, April 2011) and sold on Apr 18, 2011 for $40,250. The catalog description reads:
"Peru cob gold 8 Escudos 174- with center plug countermarked with an alligator above initials GC (George Clinton?), relating to the Act of December 31, 1772, redeeming all lightweight gold coins, XF45 NGC. The countermark is Superb. The reverse of the plug has faint graffiti. Exceedingly rare, with only two examples known. Ex: Spink, February 1921; Ex: Sotheby's Virgil Brand Collection Auction, Part IX, June 1985, lot 366 (selling price £17,000)."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 26.9 g, gold, this specimen 26.90 gm, 415.1 gr.
Catalog reference: KM12.2 (KM plate coin), Gordon 3a (plate coin), Prid 3.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
Link to: