Peru 1840-L MB 8 escudos
This specimen was lot 1213 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 38 (Winter Park, FL, November 2025), where it sold for $4,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU, Lima, gold 8 escudos, 1840 MB, NGC AU 55, "top pop," ex-Sellschopp, ex-Almenara (both stated on label). Near-prooflike luster with speckled spots of toning, very bold strike with hairline crack, tied with one other for finest in the NGC census. Pedigreed to the Sellschopp Collection (Swiss Bank Corp. auction of September 1988 (lot 1070) and to the Almenara Collection." The SCWC lists this type from Cuzco for 1826-40 and 1843-45. Lima also contributed 1826-30, 1833 and 1840. Collectively, it is the most common gold coin of the early republic but its gold content makes it expensive. During 1836-39, the mints struck issues for North and South Peru and the original republican design resumed in 1839 (Cuzco) and 1840 (Lima).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27 g, 0.875 fine gold, this specimen 27.12 grams.
Catalog reference: KM-148.1; Fr-62.
- 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]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Auction 38, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Jorge Ugaz Collection of Lima Silver Cob 2 Reales and the Darby Collection of Guatemala Silver Cobs, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2025.
Link to:
- South Peru 1837-C BA 8 escudos Fr-91
- South Peru 1838-Cuz MS 8 escudos
- North Peru 1838-L M 8 escudos
- 1839-Cuz 8 escudos
- 1840-L real
- 1840-L 2 reales
- 1840-Areq 4 reales
- 1840-Areq 8 reales
- 1840-Cuz 8 reales
- 1840 8 reales
- 1840 ½ escudo
- 1840-Cuz escudo
- 1840-Cuz 8 escudos
- 1841 8 escudos
- Coins and currency dated 1840