$7,607.00 USD
The 1795 Chile Gold 8 Escudos of King Carlos IV, Santiago Mint, graded NGC MS62, is a high-end survivor of a highly elusive Latin American colonial gold issue. Struck in Santiago at the height of Spain’s South American holdings, this piece reflects the elegance and prestige of the Bourbon dynasty and the rarity of top-condition onzas from the Chilean mint. With only one example known finer, this coin sits near the pinnacle of available census entries.
Obverse: Shows a laurel-crowned bust of King Carlos IV facing right, in full neoclassical profile, wearing a draped cloak with fine engraving detail. The legend reads:
“CAROL. IIII. D. G. HISP. ET IND. R.” — Charles IV, by the Grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies.
Reverse: Displays the crowned Bourbon coat of arms, surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, flanked by mintmark and assayer marks, with the motto:
“IN UTROQ FELIX AUSPICE DEO” — Happy in both worlds under God’s guidance.
Struck in .875 fine gold, with a standard weight of 27.07 grams, this 8 Escudos coin—often called the “onza”—was the largest and most authoritative gold denomination in Spain’s colonial economy. The Santiago Mint, while significant, produced fewer high-grade survivors compared to Mexico and Lima, especially in the 1790s.
Graded NGC MS62, this coin is almost unheard of in this level of preservation. It exhibits sharp strike definition, original luster, and minimal abrasions, with particularly well-preserved surfaces for such a large and often mishandled denomination.
