Spain (1556-90)(v) A 4 escudos
This specimen was part of lot 31311 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $10,800. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Spain, Philip II gold Cob 4 Escudos ND (1556-1598)-A MS66 NGC, Valladolid mint. A type virtually unseen so well-preserved, this specimen may as well have been struck yesterday for its sheer lustrous quality and faultless conditional state. Wholly brilliant across its surfaces, with every minute detail gleaming in gold and traceable with the sharpness and execution with which the coin was produced over 400 years ago. The reverse is of particular note, where the open expanses express hardly a single flaw for all practical purposes, the central cross boldly defined and clearly outlined. Unmatched in certified condition, only a single "MS62" seen by NGC coming even close to this impeccable example."
Altho not dated, this coin was almost certainly struck prior to 1589-90, as that is when the Spanish mints began dating their product. The Valladolid mintmark was not a letter but three pennants flying.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.74 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 13.41 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-164, Cal-29, Cayón-4149.
- 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.
- Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.
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