Spain 1868 escudo 6 point star
This specimen was lot 72715 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $95. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. Escudo, 1868 (68). Madrid Mint. Isabel II. NGC AU-53. Lightly toned and wholesome, this minor features only mild, even wear." This Spanish silver escudo was part of the second decimal reform of 1864. In 1850, the twenty reales was reduced to 26.91 grams. This having proven unsatisfactory, the coinage was reformed again in 1864. The twenty reales was dropped in favor of a two escudos silver coin, reduced to 25.96 grams. One hundred centimos = one escudo. Instead of the traditional "M" and "S" mintmarks the issues are distinguished by three, four, six, seven or eight pointed stars on the reverse (for Segovia, Jubia, Madrid, Seville and Barcelona). This type was struck 1864-68 and shares only a name with the old gold escudo. Unfortunately, the government, financially prostrate as usual, was unable to remint the old coins, which continued to circulate as before.
Recorded mintage: 5,537,704.
Specifications: 12.98 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-17151, KM-626.1.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- O'Connor, Patrick, The Coins of Queen Isabel II of Spain: A Detailed Study of the Coins, Patterns and Medals of Her Reign, San Antonio, TX: Aurora Rarities, LLC, 2017.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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