The Coveted "Escudo King Set"
The 5-Piece King Set of Spanish Gold pieces with an "8 Escudo" face value is a complete collection of colonial gold coins representing all five Spanish monarchs from the colonial era -- from Philip V to Ferdinand VII.
This set is a testament to the artistry and history of Spanish colonial minting, presented in a custom-crafted wooden display case for collectors who value rarity and legacy.
These coins were foundational to commerce in the Americas, serving as some of the earliest legal tender in the United States before the U.S. Mint began producing its own coinage. They are also newly recognized in the prestigious Red Book of Coins as of last year, which establishes that at the true "First Coins of the Americas."
The Legacy of the Escudo
Escudo coins circulated widely across the colonies, uniting the region in commerce, making them the earliest legal tender coins in the United States, and the first coins of true American patriots.
After the American Revolution, the Escudo continued to circulate, since it was already widely known and trusted – even more than the newly minted U.S. dollar. This continued until “The Coinage Act of 1857” which stated that all U.S. legal tender must be minted in the United States.
After this Act was passed, a majority of the Spanish Escudos were rounded up and melted down. In fact, only about 9,000 Gold 8 Escudo (Monarch Portrait) coins survived and been certified in all grades. Compare this to the nearly 4 million Double Eagle coins that have been certified and it’s easy to see why Escudos have the combination of high demand and low supply that makes investors take notice.
Old Coins >> Modern Investments
Owning an Escudo Coin isn’t just an investment in gold, it’s an investment in America’s rich history. The coin’s rarity, combined with surging demand, has made top-condition Escudos harder for investors to find, while many versions of the coin have been rising in price by 10% or more for the past several years.
Details of Gold Escudo Coins
The Escudo comes in 5 denominations: 8 Escudo (1oz), 4 Escudo (1/2oz), 2 Escudo (1/4oz), 1 Escudo (1/10oz), and the 1/2 Escudo at roughly 1/20oz. The gold purity of each coin is approximately 75-80%, putting the actual gold weight (AGW) of the 1oz coin at between .76 and .8 Troy ounces of gold, depending on the year.
ADD SOME HISTORY TO YOUR TANGIBLE ASSET PORTFOLIO.
Monarchs Featured on 8 Escudo Coins
Philip V 1700-1724 and 1724-1746: Philip, who exhibited elements of mental instability during his reign, no longer wished to rule due to his increasing mental decline. Louis, however, would die on 31 August of smallpox, having reigned only seven months and leaving no issue. Six days later, after much convincing, Philip was restored to the Spanish throne. The "Milled Type" was replaced with the "Portrait Type" design in 1729.
Ferdinand VI 1746-1759: The son of Philip V, Ferdinand VI's reign proved peaceful, as he avoided involving Spain in any European conflicts. However, the last years of Ferdinand's reign were marked by mental instability, much like his direct predecessor Philip V.
Charles III 1759 – 1788: The fifth son of Philip V. In 1734, at the age of 18, he led Spanish troops in a bold and almost entirely bloodless march down Italy to seize the Kingdom of Naples and Kingdom of Sicily and enforce the Spanish claim to their thrones.
Charles IV 1788 – 1808: The second son of Charles III. He was called El Cazador (meaning "the Hunter"), due to his preference for sport and hunting, rather than dealing with affairs of the state.
Ferdinand VII 1808 – 1833: In 1808, Napoleon overthrew him; he linked his monarchy to counter-revolution and reactionary policies that produced a deep rift in Spain between his forces on the right and liberals on the left. Back in power in December 1813, he re-established the absolutist monarchy and rejected the liberal constitution of 1812.
Assembling a Full 5-Coin King Set of Escudos
Occasionally, we are able to build a complete set of "8-Escudo" gold coins featuring each of the five different kings who ruled over the Spanish Colonial Empire. Since there are so few coins available from this era, each 5-Coin King Set is different, with a unique year and grade for the included coins.
- Complete Collection: A 5-Coin King Set features one high-grade coin from each of the five Spanish monarchs—Philip V, Ferdinand VI, Charles III, Charles IV, and Ferdinand VII.
- Historical Importance: These coins served as some of the earliest legal tender in the United States, connecting early American history with the Spanish colonial era.
- Certified Exclusivity: With low populations across the board, each coin in this set represents a rare piece of history. All coins are certified by NGC and feature WINGS stickers to confirm that they are the best for the grade.
- Bonus: Includes a complimentary Red Book of U.S. Coins, offering invaluable insights into the history and significance of these coins.
Act Quickly
Opportunities to acquire a complete set of this caliber are rare. Call now to see if we have a set available -- or can build one just for you. Don’t miss your chance to own this tangible piece of history.