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Discover the Lost Coins of the Early Americas
Gold Escudo Coins
At a time when explorers sailed through uncharted waters and the Spanish Empire was expanding into the Americas, coins were used as a sign of influence and dominance over conquered territories. The Spanish Escudo circulated widely across the colonies, uniting the region in commerce, and making it one of 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.
Spanish Monarchs Featured on 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.
ADD SOME HISTORY TO YOUR TANGIBLE ASSET PORTFOLIO.
The U.S. Silver Coin With a Royal Origin
Silver Real coins (pronounced "Ray-Al" and Spanish for “Royal,” since they were issued by the King of Spain) circulated widely across the American colonies, uniting the region in commerce, and making it one of the earliest legal tender coins in the continent.
Spanish Silver Reales became a familiar sight in the bustling markets and trade routes of colonial America. These coins transcended borders and facilitated commerce across the region. The silver Eight-Real Spanish “dollar,” or “peso,” minted in Spanish colonial mints across the New World, became a widely recognized trade coin, fostering economic growth and international trade.
Understanding the intricate designs and historical significance of Spanish Silver Real coins is like unraveling centuries-old narratives of wealth, prosperity, and global connectivity. From the iconic pillar and shield types of the early mintages to the meticulously crafted milled portrait designs starting in 1772, each coin reflects the artistic prowess and economic power of its time.
Today, these coins stand as tangible relics of a bygone era, offering not just historical value but also investment potential in numismatics and portfolio diversification.
Superior Growth Potential in a Rare Coin Portfolio
When the United States was formed, the Continental Congress issued Continental Currency, which was used during the Revolutionary War. Parts of the region, particularly in the southwest, continued to use the Spanish Escudo and Real coins. The Continental Currency faced issues of hyperinflation and depreciation, while the Spanish coins were generally more stable and held their value better.
After the American Revolution, when the U.S. dollar became the official currency, the Continental Currency became obsolete, but amazingly, the Silver Reales (and their gold counterpart, the Escudo) continued to circulate as legal tender, since they were already widely known and trusted. This continued until the signing of “The Coinage Act of 1857,” which stated all U.S. Legal Tender be minted in the United States.
Key Facts About Silver "Real" Coins
- The Silver Real coin gets its name from the Spanish word meaning “Royal,” since they were minted and issued by the monarchy.
- This is the same reason that the popular Spanish soccer (football) club is known as “Real Madrid.” The regal name was actually granted to the team by Spanish King Alfonso XIII in 1920.
- The popular “Milled Monarch Portrait” design for the 8 Real denomination was first minted in 1729 and appeared throughout the New World starting in 1732.
- Silver Reales circulated widely in the bustling markets and trade routes of the Americas and were even used as legal tender coins in the early United States until 1857.
- The most common coin had a face value of 8 Reales and was known as the “Piece of Eight” or “Spanish Dollar” by American colonists (and pirates!). When the U.S. Mint first made coins, the $1 coin had the same size and value as the 8 Real did.
- Terms like “Two Bits” and “Four Bits” also came from the legacy of the Real.
- After the U.S. Dollar became the only legal tender in the U.S., many Spanish coins were melted down and re-minted into the first coins from the U.S. Mint.
- Top-condition Silver Reales are hard for investors are find, while many versions of the coin have been rising in price by 10% or more for the past several years. United Patriot Coin sells coins that carry the coveted WINGS certification stamp of approval.
