Spain 1621-MD V 2 escudos
This specimen was lot 40037 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, August 2026), where it sold for $23,180. The catalog description[1] noted, "Exceptionally Rare 2 Escudos from the First Year in the Reign of Philip IV. SPAIN. Cob 2 Escudos, 1621-MD V. Madrid Mint. Philip IV. NGC AU-58. Very sharply struck across both sides, this stunning example remains EXTREMELY RARE and tantalizing, with the date unlisted in both Friedberg and KM, and with this very piece serving as the plated example in Calico. Mostly golden-yellow in hue, with some deeper toning evident surrounding the devices in a wondrous manner. Ex: Aureo & Calico 294 (5/2017) Lot # 338." This type is recorded for 1625-28, 1644-46, 1651 and 1661 from Madrid The corresponding Seville mint issue (KM 82.1) is noted as the most common two escudos of the seventeenth century. The type is also mentioned for Cuenca but those issues are much scarcer. It is hammered.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.86 g, 0.917 fine gold, .202 troy oz AGW, this specimen 6.73 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-unlisted, Fr-205 (date unlisted); KM-51.2 (date unlisted); Cal-1772 (this coin illustrated).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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