Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3041 Sess. 1-3 13 August 2015
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Mexico
Philip V gold 8 Escudos 1732-Mo XF45 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM148, Onza-420. The extremely rare initial variety without neither assayer initials nor denomination flaking the shield on the reverse. Choice for the designation with partial remaining luster and fewer than the expected surface contact marks, albeit a tad softly struck in the centers. Nevertheless, an imposing specimen with superb old cabinet toning and great eye-appeal. In all probability the rarest Mexico milled onza with as few as 6-7 traced examples by the cataloguer, as follows:- the present coin, XF45 NGC.- the ex-Eliasberg specimen, previously ex-Flanagan (Stack's 3/1944, lot 262), ex-Richard Santos (Morgenthau 4/1937, lot 156 for $160) and ex-Newcomer (Morgenthau 2/1935). This is very probably also the specimen referred to (but not plated) in Wayte Raymond's "Spanish American Gold Coins", XF40 NGC.- the plate coin in Calico ("Numismatica Española", 2008) and the Onza reference work (under No. 121, as noted previously). A high grade example, not any of the coins listed in the NGC registry. - the coin plated in Cayon (his Tipo-148 in "Monedas Españolas: del tremis al euro", 2005). Not the previous coin, per the rim.- the coin in the Museo Soumaya, VF.NGC currently lists three certifications at XF40, XF45 and AU50. The former two correspond to the Eliasberg and Rudman specimens, while the third would constitute evidence of a sixth specimen. All known specimens were apparently struck with the same pair of dies, recognizable by a small die flaw near the "D" in "IND" on the obverse, and by a small die break near the "MO" in "TIMOR" on the reverse.These issues are amongst the rarest and most historically significant of the entire Mexican gold series being the first milled coins produced in the Mexico City mint, and thus the first milled coins of the Americas. Following the Royal Ordinances of 1728 in Madrid and 1730 in Cazalla related to this new coinage, the Mexico City mint experienced a thorough reorganization and passed under direct control of the Crown. Production started early in 1732, and their release into circulation was completed on December 23 of that year, after a sufficient amount of these new coins had been produced.A few silver and gold coins of the 1732 date were struck with incomplete dies without the denomination nor the assayer initial(s) on the reverse. It is generally accepted, following Pradeau's commentary (see page 54 in his "Numismatic History of Mexico", 1938) that these coins are trial pieces using the masters dies sent from Madrid which bore no assayer initials. If this logical explanation is confirmed, these coins would have been among the first milled coins struck in Mexico, thus on March 29, 1732 or shortly thereafter, as indicated in the following contemporary account:"On the afternoon of that same day (of the 19th of March), the Viceroy of Casafuerte assisted to the first trial strike of the equipment of the new Mint and the minting of its first coin in company of its Director D. Joseph Fernandez Veytia, its major officers and various of the most distinguished gentlemen of the city. This coin was struck with great care together with various additional ones, and in view of the rejoicing caused by such a successful start of operations, a few coins were handed over and distributed (to the public) without the usual formalities. It is considered that this new mint shall promptly attain the utmost level perfection since although during the visit of his Excellency only 4 to 6 coins were minted per minute, (the rate of) 23 coins was attained on the following day (page 17 in in "Gacetas de Mexico, Vol. II: 1732 a 1736").As noted previously, among the first coins minted in Mexico with the new equipment in 1732, an extremely rare coin of the utmost historical importance, and a fitting specimen to initiate the presentation of the Rudman collection. The cataloguer notes the XF40 ex-Eliasberg coin hammered for $67,500 in 2008 (Stacks's Bowers 1/2008, lot 3498).From The Rudman Collection of Mexican Coins
Estimate: 70000-100000 USD
Philip V gold 8 Escudos 1732-Mo XF45 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM148, Onza-420. The extremely rare initial variety without neither assayer initials nor denomination flaking the shield on the reverse. Choice for the designation with partial remaining luster and fewer than the expected surface contact marks, albeit a tad softly struck in the centers. Nevertheless, an imposing specimen with superb old cabinet toning and great eye-appeal. In all probability the rarest Mexico milled onza with as few as 6-7 traced examples by the cataloguer, as follows:- the present coin, XF45 NGC.- the ex-Eliasberg specimen, previously ex-Flanagan (Stack's 3/1944, lot 262), ex-Richard Santos (Morgenthau 4/1937, lot 156 for $160) and ex-Newcomer (Morgenthau 2/1935). This is very probably also the specimen referred to (but not plated) in Wayte Raymond's "Spanish American Gold Coins", XF40 NGC.- the plate coin in Calico ("Numismatica Española", 2008) and the Onza reference work (under No. 121, as noted previously). A high grade example, not any of the coins listed in the NGC registry. - the coin plated in Cayon (his Tipo-148 in "Monedas Españolas: del tremis al euro", 2005). Not the previous coin, per the rim.- the coin in the Museo Soumaya, VF.NGC currently lists three certifications at XF40, XF45 and AU50. The former two correspond to the Eliasberg and Rudman specimens, while the third would constitute evidence of a sixth specimen. All known specimens were apparently struck with the same pair of dies, recognizable by a small die flaw near the "D" in "IND" on the obverse, and by a small die break near the "MO" in "TIMOR" on the reverse.These issues are amongst the rarest and most historically significant of the entire Mexican gold series being the first milled coins produced in the Mexico City mint, and thus the first milled coins of the Americas. Following the Royal Ordinances of 1728 in Madrid and 1730 in Cazalla related to this new coinage, the Mexico City mint experienced a thorough reorganization and passed under direct control of the Crown. Production started early in 1732, and their release into circulation was completed on December 23 of that year, after a sufficient amount of these new coins had been produced.A few silver and gold coins of the 1732 date were struck with incomplete dies without the denomination nor the assayer initial(s) on the reverse. It is generally accepted, following Pradeau's commentary (see page 54 in his "Numismatic History of Mexico", 1938) that these coins are trial pieces using the masters dies sent from Madrid which bore no assayer initials. If this logical explanation is confirmed, these coins would have been among the first milled coins struck in Mexico, thus on March 29, 1732 or shortly thereafter, as indicated in the following contemporary account:"On the afternoon of that same day (of the 19th of March), the Viceroy of Casafuerte assisted to the first trial strike of the equipment of the new Mint and the minting of its first coin in company of its Director D. Joseph Fernandez Veytia, its major officers and various of the most distinguished gentlemen of the city. This coin was struck with great care together with various additional ones, and in view of the rejoicing caused by such a successful start of operations, a few coins were handed over and distributed (to the public) without the usual formalities. It is considered that this new mint shall promptly attain the utmost level perfection since although during the visit of his Excellency only 4 to 6 coins were minted per minute, (the rate of) 23 coins was attained on the following day (page 17 in in "Gacetas de Mexico, Vol. II: 1732 a 1736").As noted previously, among the first coins minted in Mexico with the new equipment in 1732, an extremely rare coin of the utmost historical importance, and a fitting specimen to initiate the presentation of the Rudman collection. The cataloguer notes the XF40 ex-Eliasberg coin hammered for $67,500 in 2008 (Stacks's Bowers 1/2008, lot 3498).From The Rudman Collection of Mexican Coins
Estimate: 70000-100000 USD