1621-65 8 Escudos Seville - Philip IV NGC MS62

The 1621-1665 Spanish 8 Escudos gold coin was struck during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain (1621-1665), during an era when Spain was a dominant global power.

Key features include:

• A Spanish colonial gold "cob" doubloon, hand-hammered on an irregular planchet
• Part of the Latin legend "HISPANIARVM REX" (King of the Spains) appears along the edge
• Most of these 8 Escudos were minted in Spain's New World mints (like Mexico City or Lima) or in Spain (such as the Seville mint
• Composed of .9167 fine gold (22 karat) with a weight of about 27 grams (approximately 0.80 troy oz actual gold content)

Obverse: Features a crowned coat-of-arms shield representing the united Spanish kingdoms. To one side appears the mintmark and assayer’s initial, and to the other, the denomination (Roman numeral “VIII”). The shield is surrounded by the Latin legend: “PHILIPPVS IIII D G” (Philip IV Dei Gratia, by the Grace of God).

Reverse: Displays a distinctive Jerusalem Cross within a quatrefoil, with castles and lions occupying the quarters — symbolic of the kingdoms of Castile and León.

The rarity of this coin in such exceptional condition cannot be overstated:

·         In any grade, 17th-century 8 Escudos are scarce, but in Mint State they are exceedingly rare

·        According to available NGC/PCGS census data, only a handful of Philip IV 8 Escudos have been certified in Mint State across all mints and dates

·         One recent market description notes that "fourteen total have been certified" in the entire Philip IV 8 Escudo series, with just 3 coins graded MS64 and a single finest-known at MS65

·         By extension, MS62 examples are only a few pieces – likely on the order of five to ten coins, at most, for all dates under Philip IV

·         A 1659 Seville-mint 8 Escudos in NGC MS62 was reported as the "finest and only example in NGC's census" for that date

The combination of flashy mint luster, sharp detail, and absence of wear, combined with an almost nonexistent population in MS, makes it an exceptional rarity that advanced collectors will pay strong premiums to obtain.