Gold Cobs from Colombia

Gold Cobs from the Florida shipwrecks of the 1715 Fleet & other New World wrecks. Spanish Colonial gold and silver coins from Lima, Mexico, Cuzco, Bogotá, Cartagena and other mints.

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PORTRAIT GOLD OF THE SPANISH AMERICAS (1732-1824)

Over a period of 93 years, nine mints in the Spanish viceroyalties struck milled gold coinage bearing the portraits and mottos of the Spanish monarchs. Mexico City, the oldest New World mint and capital of the Viceroy3alty of Nueva Espana, led off the series in 1732. The first milled gold coinage of the New World bears a fine bust portrait of Felipe V. Santiago de Chile was next to issue milled escudos beginning in 1750, followed by Lima in 1751, both striking milled gold with portraits of Fernando VI. Guatemala and Popayan (in the Nuevo Reino de Granada) were the next gold mints, starting production in 1754 and 1758 respectively. Under Carlos III Santa Fe de Bogota and Potosi began to strike milled escudos, in 1760 and 1788 respectively. No new gold mints opened under Carlos IV, but the final days of the Spanish Empire in the Americas saw brief royal issues in the name of Fernando VII from the Mexican mint at Guadalajara and the old Peruvian mint at Cuzco.

If you are unfamiliar with the Lima Portrait onza series, here is brief introduction to the 13 major types it comprises.

Lima 8 escudos of Ferdinand VII. Large Bust. 1812 JP.
Choice almost uncirculated ( NGC AU 55). Among the finest known examples of this rarity.

This, the rarest of Lima Ferdinand types, was struck only briefly in early 1812. The Napoleonic war in Spain had prevented new dies being shipped to the New World. In late 1811 Lima finally got Ferdinand dies and punches from Cadiz, but only for the silver coinage. While waiting for the gold dies, Lima mint officials decided to improvise and create an 8 escudos using the bust punch for an 8 reales. The resulting obverse type features an oversize bust of Ferdinand that barely fits the planchet. This issue is rare in any grade and unknown in mint state. The big-budget Karon collection could not find any attractive specimen and the type is absent from that collection. This choice AU may be the finest surviving example of the Large Bust 1812 Lima. Lustrous, free of significant contact marks or planchet problems. Somewhat softly struck in the laurels as are all specimens of the issue.

Calico OMB # 1393, Calico La Onza #1216 “rara”. Available for $4500.

Santa Fe de Bogota (Colombia). 8 escudos of Carlos IIII. 1807 JJ. Choice mint state ( NGC MS 63). Probably the finest known.

The Type of 1791-1808, featuring a redesigned “official” bust of Carlos IIII, was final type of this monarch’s unfortunate reign. Well circulated specimens are relatively common, nice XF/AU’s are difficult to find, and any true mint state coin is rare. The big-budget Karon collection had to content itself with an AU specimen (lot #51). This choice mint state specimen has exceptional luster, very clean fields and devises, and a planchet free of the adjustment marks and lamination problems that disfigure many Carlos IIII onzas. Unimprovable, to my knowledge, for the date or the type. A distinguished auction pedigree includes a fairly recent appearance in CNG’s Sale 76, where it realized $5300.

1807 was not a good year for the 60 year old Carlos IIII. His son, the future Ferdinand VII, tried to depose him, and Napoleon decided he had finally had enough of the inept Spanish Bourbons, leading to his invasion and occupation of Spain in the Spring of 1808. Carlos abdicated and was forced into exile in France, while a 6 year war of independence was fought to oust Napoleon’s puppet regime. The elderly Carlos IIII never returned to the throne.

Calico OMB # 1294, Calico La Onza #1147. Available for $5850.

Lima 1800 IJ eight escudos. Type of 1792-1808, displaying a large official bust of Carlos IIII. CAROL. IV in legend. On the reverse, the denomination is shown as 8S. Crowned Bourbon arms are surrounded by the chain of the Order of the golden Fleece. The motto of Carlos III is retained, IN UNTRAQ(UE) FELIX AUSPICE DEO. IJ are the initials of long-time Lima assayer Ignacio Zeron Galvez.

The 1800 IJ Lima onza is not a rare or even very scarce coin in the circulated grades, but all that changes when we move in the realm of choice uncirculated coins. Very few attractive and truly uncirculated 1800 Lima onzas exist. This coin has the look you want in a Carlos IIII Lima onza. It has lustrous devices with prooflike fields. No adjustment or planchet problems at all. No distracting marks on the portrait or in the fields. Very conservatively graded MS62 by NGC. None reportedly higher.

Spanish Colonial milled onzas in general, and Lima onzas in particular, remain significantly underpriced in choice uncirculated condition. Calico 1184 (ONZA MAIN), Calico 995 (LA ONZA), CT 26.

Available for $4250.

If you are unfamiliar with the Lima Portrait onza series, here is brief introduction to the 13 major types it comprises.

Reserved space for future pieces.