Spain 1789-M MF 1/2 escudo
This specimen was lot 1362 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 39 (Winter Park, FL, May 2026), where it sold for $510. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN, Madrid, gold bust ½ escudo, Charles IV, 1789 MF, PCGS VF35. Muted luster with sediment in crevices, full rims, minor lamination flaw at 2 o'clock on reverse. While Madrid Charles IV 1, 2, and 4 escudos are quite common and available in high grades, the ½ escudo is anything but, and always brings a premium even in lower grade." This type was struck in Madrid 1788-97 and is rather rare in comparison to the half escudos of the previous reign. Half escudos were struck in metropolitan Spain 1738-97 in considerable numbers and are quite a bit more common than their silver equals, the eight reales. This is opposite from Latin America, where silver pesos were minted in vast quantities but half escudos would not be minted until the reign of Ferdinand VII. Assayer MF is listed for 1788-99.
Recorded mintage: unknown but quite scarce.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.875 fine gold, .047 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-13989, Cal-1068; KM-433; Fr-299.
- 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Auction 39, 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, 2026.
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