$23,760.00 USD
The Spanish 4 escudo (often called a "doubloon") was a key gold coin during the Age of Empire. It was equivalent to half of an 8 escudo doubloon and weighed about 13.5 grams of 22-karat gold. Issued under King Philip IV (reigned 1621–1665), these coins fueled international trade and colonial wealth, especially as Spain mined vast gold reserves in the New World.
Spanish colonial mints in Mexico, Peru, and elsewhere would strike gold cobs which were then often sent to Spain and reminted into standard escudos. The 1630–1647-dated 4 escudos falls in the mid-17th century, a period when Spain's global power was financed by precious metals from the Americas.
This 4 escudo is a cob coin – a hand-hammered gold coin typical of the era. Rather than perfect milled coins, cobs were irregular "chunks" of gold sliced from bars ("cabo de barra") and struck between crude dies. Quality control was low; legends and dates were often only partially struck or later clipped off to adjust weight. The result is that fully detailed specimens are extremely scarce.
The term "Brute style" is sometimes used for these rough, thickly struck cobs, giving them a classic "pirate treasure" appearance.
Obverse: The royal Habsburg coat of arms topped by a crown. The shield is quartered with castles of Castile and lions of León, among other royal heraldry, and the Latin legend "PHILIPPVS IIII D. G." (Philip IV by the Grace of God) around it.
Reverse: A bold Jerusalem Cross within a quatrefoil (four-lobed frame). This cross, comprised of a large cross with four smaller crosses in its quadrants, was a unique feature of Seville gold escudos in this period.
This "Jerusalem cross" design was only used for a short time under Philip IV (on 4 and 8 escudos), making these coins especially notable for collectors. The example in question (1630–47 issue) showcases that coveted cross-and-tressure on one side and the royal arms on the other.
The combination of historical context, crude charm, and scarcity of well-struck specimens gives the 1630–47 Spanish 4 escudo high desirability. It represents Spain's Golden Age wealth – literally – and embodies the adventurous history of pirate gold and treasure fleets.
An exceptional specimen of Spanish colonial gold, this 1630–1647 Seville-minted 4 Escudos of King Philip IV, graded NGC MS63, stands among the finest known. The coin exhibits a sharply struck Jerusalem cross and a well-centered shield, with full mintmark and assayer's initial 'R' for Gerónimo Rodríguez. Its lustrous surfaces and precise details reflect the craftsmanship of the era, making it a prized acquisition for collectors of Spanish numismatics.
Extremely Rare
