Spain: gold escudo of Charles IV, 1792-MF, Madrid mint Obverse: CAROL • IIII • D • G • HISP • ET IND • R • ; bust of Charles IV right; date below. Reverse: FELIX • A • D • / • IN • UTROQ • ; crowned arms inside chain holding the Order of the Golden Fleece; crowned "M" mintmark and "MF" mintmaster initials below. Issuer: Charles IV, King of Spain (1788-1808). Specifications: .879 fine gold, 0.0955 oz. AGW. 18 mm, 3.38 g. Madrid mint. Grade: PCGS VF30; cert. #39640152. Purchased raw. Reference: KM434, Numista 11039. Provenance: ex-Soler y Llach S.A., Spain, Auction 1113, Lot 262, 21 May 2020.* Notes: Spanish gold escudos were a mainstay of world commerce during the Age of Exploration and colonial eras, especially in the Americas. The word "escudo" means "shield". Comments: This piece has attractive toning and excellent eye appeal for an example in moderate grade. I also like the pleasant expression on the king's portrait. 030747S
This one I prefer a bit more than the half escudo (larger size and I agree with you about the pleasant expression on the king's face), so it gets a 7.
That’s a beautiful coin from both a visual and historic perspective. The period from which it was likely in circulation—the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars—are some of the most tempestuous in world history.
The half-escudo is scarcer and the key date for its entire series, however. And I paid less than 40% of catalog for it! So it was a really nice cherrypick. This escudo is a bigger coin but I paid closer to a normal price for it, I reckon.
You're right on both counts. The half-escudo was the better coin in terms of value (key date, lucky cherrypick), but there is indeed no bad gold, and one can never own too many attractively toned gold pieces. So I do not consider this coin here to be redundant.
Each has something good going for it. If taking price into account, I would say the half escudo would score higher overall. If just going by appeal of the coin, then the escudo edges out the half escudo for me.
That's some really eye appealing wear on the bust side. Almost artistic in how it left remaining definition!
Say, @Bardolph- seein' how you were so helpful with the half-escudo, I don't suppose you might have access to mintage information on this one, would you? Krause/Numismaster/NGC and Numista are both silent on that topic.
