North Peru 1838-L M escudo
The first specimen was lot 3555 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $5,175. The catalog description[1] noted, "1838 M 1 escudo. Lima mint. North Peru. AU-58 (NGC). Types as above. Medium gold with good lustre and some reverse reflectivity. Central granularity, some light scattered planchet irregularity, decent strike though Liberty's face is soft. A highly elusive one year type. From the John H. Clapp Collection; Clapp estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942." North Peru was a portion of the short-lived Peruvian Confederation of 1836-39, which broke up under the hostility of its neighbors and local caudillos, neither desirous of a strong, centralized state. See also South Peru. The North Peruvian state had control of the Lima mint and managed to issue silver ½, 1, 2 and 8 reales and gold ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos during its unhappy existence. The silver issues aren't too rare but all the gold coins are expensive.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.38 g, 0.875 fine gold, .095 troy oz AGW; this specimen: 3.38 grams, 18.00 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-90, KM 160.
- [1]Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals, Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
- 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.
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