World Gold - 1774M PJ 8 Escudos Spain NGC AU58

When you own a coin such as this, you actually can hold a piece of the golden treasure of the Spanish Empire in your hand. The obverse of this striking gold coin presents an older, right-facing armored bust of Charles III (“CAROL III”). It also reads, “D-G-HISP-ET IND-R” which is an abbreviation for “DEI GRATIA HISPANA RUM ET INDIARUM REX” (by the grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies). Below the bust is the date “1774.” A total of only 19 of this issue have been graded by NGC. There are 6 in AU58 with only 5 finer. KM #409.1 (1771-1784 8 Escudos); N #23501;  This dramatic issue was engraved by Tomás Francisco Prieto Martín and Antonio de Saa.

Portrait of Charles III rendered by Anton Rapheal Mengs, circa 1761.

Found upon the reverse of this example is the Spanish coat of arms within two shields. Each quarter of the smaller interior shield presents both the individual arms of Castile (a castle) and Leon (a lion). Encircled with a collar of the Golden Fleece from Greek mythology, the entire coat of arms within the shields is dramatically topped off with a Spanish royal crown. This legend is found around the rim: “IN UTROQ FELIX AUSPICE DEO” (with Gold’s guidance one is happy in each place). The mintmark: the crowned M for Madrid, is found at 7 o’clock, and “PJ” (for the royal assayer) is located at 5 o’clock.