This magnificent Segovia 1 escudo is the finest known example of only three specimens in the world. Only minted for one year in 1535 under the assayer Diego Espinar, this 1 escudo is a near perfect example of a very short run of coins. This escudo boasts brilliant luster, wide planchet, impeccable details, and a small crack in the planchet from the strike. A coin like this only comes around once every few decades and is sure to garner spirited bidding. This is a perfect piece to enhance your collection of Spanish gold!

Rare 1705 Lima 8 Escudos (The Real Gold Doubloon) This is a very rare and superbly preserved 8 Escudos recovered from the 1715 Spanish Fleet. It was minted in 1705 at the Lima mint during the reign of King Phillip V (1700-1724). Most of the coins minted in the New World were shipped back to Spain where they were melted down at various mainland Spanish mints to be converted into traditional Spanish coinage. Some of these mints were located in cities such as Seville, Madrid, Granada, and Toledo. Very few specimens from the Lima mint were known to exist until a few were recovered from shipwrecks in the 20 century, this being one of them. Here are some details on this rare coin and its unique characteristics. The legend on the cross side reads “PHILIPPVS V D. G. ISPANIAR”, which is an abbreviation in Latin for “PHILIPPVS V DEI GRATIA HISPANIARVM”. The translation in English is “Philip V (the 5) by the grace of God of the lands of Spain”. The design elements including the Jerusalem Cross, castles, and lions are nicely centered, well struck, and only the slightest sign of being double struck when minted. There is abundant evidence of coral encrustations in and around many of the legend letters and devices, which is to be expected from a coin recovered from a shipwreck. The legend on the pillars side reads “ET YNDIARVM REX. The translation in English is: “And of the Indies King”. During the time this coin was minted, the New World was commonly known to the Spanish as “The Indies.” The design elements are again nicely centered and very well struck. Of note is the fact that it is very rare to find a Lima 8 Escudos that is so well centered on both sides as most specimens are struck with the designs offset or centered on one side but not the other. The letters and number in the center portion of the pillar side of the coin (L 8 H over P.V.A.) represent the following: “L” is for the Lima mint, 8 is for the denomination of 8 escudos, “H” is for the mint assayer “Francisco Hurtado” and “PVA” is a Latin abbreviation for “PLVS ULTRA”, which being translated into English means “Further Beyond”. Plus Ultra is the royal motto of Spain to this day. The pillars of Hercules rising from the waves with their chapiters are sharply struck, as well as the two horizon lines, date and much of the perimeter legend. Another incredible and extremely rare feature about this coin is that the cross-side and pillars-side axes are almost perfectly aligned from front to back when the coin is turned. Typically, when gold cobs are struck, the cross side is rotated from a few degrees to ninety degrees or more. With an abundance of original mint luster, amazing eye appeal, and the provenance of being from the 1715 Fleet shipwreck, this coin is an incredible piece of history and simply breathtaking!

his breathtaking gem uncirculated gold escudo is an extremely rare specimen and arguably a coin that some consider worthy to be in a museum. Spanish Colonial gold escudos are rare in any grades as most were either melted down or circulated heavily throughout the world. How this specimen survived for over 400 years in gem uncirculated condition is nothing short of a miracle. This specimen happens to be the finest example ever graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company and has the unique designation as being the top of the graded population of this series commonly known as the “Top Pop”. This coin was likely recovered from the 1715 Spanish fleet that sunk off the coast of Florida as similar coins in mint state predominately came from those wreck sites. As you can see from our photos, this coin exhibits that original frosty mint luster, almost like it was minted yesterday. The obverse displays a boldly struck castles and lions and the reverse shows an incredible well struck and centered Jerusalem Cross. You simply won’t find a better example of a Columbia 1 escudo than this specimen.

This magnificent and rare 2 escudos was minted in Seville Spain and is a beautiful specimen! The obverse displays much of its original mint luster, a boldly struck “S” mint mark, a “V” for the assayer’s initial and almost a complete shield. The reverse displays beautiful luster as well as a nicely centered Jerusalem cross and the lower portion of the number “19” at the outer edge of the flan, signifying its date of minting. Overall, this coin has very nice eye appeal and is in a high level of preservation for a coin that has survived over 400 years! A choice coin like this would fit nicely in any collection of 17th century Spanish gold!

This breathtaking gold 4 escudos cob is unique and happens to not only be the finest example graded by NGC but also boasts of being the only one graded in any condition by NGC. It has the unique designation as being the “Top Pop”. This coin exhibits much of its original luster, a well centered and defined shield on the obverse and boldly struck Jerusalem Cross with the date on the reverse. Also on the obverse you can see the assayer’s initial “R” representing Geronimo Rodriguez and an “S” for the Seville mint. It also has many of the other design features that are often missing on similar gold cobs from this era. Of particular note, on the reverse there is visible evidence of what appears to be coral encrustations, which indicates that this coin was most likely recovered from a shipwreck! Spanish gold cobs are highly sought after, especially in the higher denominations and this example is an outstanding one-of-a-kind.

Sovereign collectors will love this honey, gold, honest about uncirculated issue.

This rare gold 1 escudo is a magnificent specimen with superb eye appeal, bold details, and a strong strike. A similar but more common example was sold through Tauler & Fau Auction #128 on June 7, 2023 for €7,700 plus a buyers premium of 18% for a total of $9,858.00! (see lot #134 here) Precious few of these gold escudos have survived at this level of preservation and this roughly 500 year old example is ranked tied for finest known. If you are a collector of rare Spanish gold, this coin will be a crown jewel of your collection!

A rare date in uncirculated condition , this choice, uncirculated coin is very well preserved for its age

Stunning gem proof deep Cameo coin

A virtually perfect Cameo proof. Perfect to the naked eye.

Stunning gem proof in nearly perfect condition

Wholesome and original piece of czarist Gold

Choice, chocolate uncirculated, copper issue of this rare type

Yellow gold choice condition for this uncommon type

Near gem frosty example of this scarce Dutch type

Choice uncirculated, Australian sovereign

Fully uncirculated scarce Australian sovereign

Choice uncirculated, Australian sovereign

Near gem wartime issue, Sydney mint Australian sovereign

Wholesome example of this iconic Australian type

A very rare type, indeed, only surfacing a few times in major auctions these past decades

A wholesome example of this iconic colonial type

Stunning, Gem example of this iconic African type

Stunning, near gem example of this iconic African type

Choice uncirculated, Canadian sovereign

Original and bright choice AU Ottawa mint sovereign

Stunning gem, Canadian silver dollar

Choice uncirculated Canadian silver dollar

Near gem Canadian silver dollar