1796-M MF Spain Gold 4 Escudos NGC AU-53

Spain, Madrid Mint. Struck under Charles IV.  The 1796M 4 Escudos gold issue of Spain is a classic portrait coin from the reign of Charles IV, struck with the bold craftsmanship and regal style that defined late 18th century Spanish coinage. The handsome image of Carolus (Charles) IV dominates the obverse with impressive detail, while the reverse displays the crowned arms of Spain in elegant fashion. Certified NGC AU53, this example retains strong original definition with appealing golden surfaces and only moderate circulation visible across the design.

Spanish colonial gold of this era circulated widely throughout Europe and the Americas, making surviving higher-grade examples increasingly difficult to locate today. The 4 Escudos denomination remains especially popular among collectors seeking substantial gold content combined with historic Old World character. Pieces from the 1790s are admired for their connection to Spain’s global economic influence during the period.

NGC has graded just 4 examples of the 1796M 4 Escudos as AU53, with 53 finer across all higher numeric grades. Those population figures underscore the scarcity of attractive certified examples available to collectors pursuing quality early Spanish gold. There’s a fascinating die crease visible on the obverse at 1:00 the runs through the “S” in “HISP” and into the field.