Portugal (1621-40) 4 cruzados Fr-56
This specimen was lot 41322 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $31,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "A Stunningly Fresh 4 Cruzados of Philip III. PORTUGAL. Spanish Union. 4 Cruzados, ND. Lisbon Mint. Philip III (IV of Spain) (1621-40). PCGS MS-61 Gold Shield. Obverse: Crowned Coat of Arms; Reverse: Circle of dots enclosed Cross of St. George, quincunx in each angle. A bold, fully lustrous impression of the dies, which shows no evidence of past circulation and designs that are just a touch off center on the obverse, with the tops of several letters in the king's name stretching off flan. Altogether, an outstanding RARITY of Philip III, the likes of which is seldom equaled. Struck during the interlude of personal union with Spain, which began in 1580 under Spanish King Philip II (Filipe I as King of Portugal) and ended when a Portuguese revolt placed Joao, Duke of Braganza on the throne." In 1578, king Sebastian of Portugal was killed fighting the Moors in Africa. After some confusion, in 1580, Philip II moved in and annexed the country, which was held as part of the Spanish crown until 1640. All the gold coins of this period are rare. Milled coinage was introduced in 1677.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 12.24 g, .922 fine gold, this specimen 12.18 grams.
Catalog reference: Fr-56; KM-9.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- Sáez Salgado, Javier, Moedas de Ouro de Portugal, 1185-1889, Lisbon, Numisma Leiloes, 2001.
- Alberto Gomes and Francisco Antonio Magro, Moedas Portuguesas e do Território Que Hoje é Portugal: Catálogo das Moedas Cunhadas para o Continentes e Ilhas Adjacentes, para os Territórios do Ultramar e Grão-Mestres Portugueses da Ordem de Malta, 6ª Edição, Lisbon: Associação Numismática de Portugal, 2013.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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