Peru 1863-L YB 4 escudos
This coin was minted in Lima, Peru, in 1863. This specimen was lot 3585 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $32,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "1863 YB 4 escudos. MS-61 (NGC). Types as above. Lustrous yellow gold, good eye appeal, some reflectivity on the reverse. A significant rarity, unpriced in KM and a one year type. This was the last 4 escudos of Peru. This may be the Newcomer coin, sold in the February 1935 Wayte Raymond sale but unplated. It was described as 'very fine' and sold for $32. From the John H. Clapp Collection; Clapp estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942."
The government of Peru converted to decimal coinage 1858-63 and issued a number of transitional pieces during that period, of which this is the rarest. Others include a silver half real, one real, 25 centavos, fifty centavos, fifty centimos and gold eight escudos.
Recorded mintage: unknown but very rare.
Specification: 13.5 g, 0.875 fine gold, .380 troy oz AGW; this specimen: 13.48 grams, 27.80 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 184, Fr-69.
- [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.
Links to:
- 1862 8 escudos
- 1863 2 centavos
- 1863 ½ dinero
- 1863 dinero
- 1863 5 soles
- 1863 10 soles
- 1863 8 escudos
- Coins and currency dated 1863
- other specimens in The Eliasberg Collection
- return to coinage of Peru