Spain 1780-M PJ 4 escudos

Aureo sale 261, lot 475

This specimen was lot 475 in Aureo y Calicó sale 261 (Barcelona, July 2014), where it sold for €400 (about US$642 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"1780/79. Carlos III. Madrid. PJ. 4 escudos. MBC-/MBC. (Charles III, 1759-88, four escudos of 1780, Madrid mint. About very fine.)"

This type was struck in Madrid 1772-85 (KM 418.1) and Seville 1772-85 (KM 418.2). The Spanish four escudos of Charles III are more available than eight escudos of the same period. It is distinguished by later issues of Charles III (1785-88) by being 0.901 fine instead of 0.875 fine gold. Four escudos prior to this type are all rare.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 13.54 g, 0.901 fine gold, .392 troy oz AGW.

Catalog reference: Cayón-12666, KM 418.1, Fr-285, Cal. 304.

Sources:

• 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]Sisó, Teresa, Eduardo Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Pública 261, Barcelona: Aureo y Calicó Subastas, 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.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1779-M 4 escudos
• Bolivia 1780-PTS PR 4 escudos
• Mexico 1780-Mo FF 4 escudos
• Peru 1780-L MI 4 escudos
• 1780-M ½ real
• 1780-M 2 escudos
• 1781-M 4 escudos
• return to Spanish pre-decimal coinage (maravedis, reales and escudos)
• Coins and currency dated 1780