Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3037 Sess. 2-4 5 January 2015
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Mexico
Iturbide gold 4 Escudos 1823 Mo-JM AU58 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM312. Close to Mint State with only the scantiest friction evidence on the higher points and lustrous surfaces. A decidedly very choice example despite the evident adjustment marks and softness of strike in the centers. These characteristics were apparently endemic to the issue since all superior examples of this type examined - including the Boyd (Superior 1975 ANA Sale, lot 2142), Norweb (Christie's Dallas 11/1985, lot 4) and Banco de Mexico collection ones - show them in various degrees. It is thus likely that the minting equipment used to was misadjusted and constantly produced slightly overweight planchets and that an ill-suited press was assigned to mint the comparatively few coins of 4 Escudos that were struck. The Mexico City mint was certainly capable of striking good quality 30 mm sized gold coins, as evidenced by the few choice specimens of the Grove-13 medal that exist. This is the most challenging gold type issued under Iturbide (and was apparently unknown until Betts published an example in the Supplement of his pioneering work "Mexican Imperial Coinage") with any unflawed specimens usually commanding strong attention. The present specimen example should be no exception. Among the very finest seen for this very scarce issue, and a type coin that would be most difficult to improve upon. Currently the highest certified specimen by NGC and PCGS and highly desirable in this lofty preservation.
Estimate: 7500-8500 USD
Iturbide gold 4 Escudos 1823 Mo-JM AU58 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM312. Close to Mint State with only the scantiest friction evidence on the higher points and lustrous surfaces. A decidedly very choice example despite the evident adjustment marks and softness of strike in the centers. These characteristics were apparently endemic to the issue since all superior examples of this type examined - including the Boyd (Superior 1975 ANA Sale, lot 2142), Norweb (Christie's Dallas 11/1985, lot 4) and Banco de Mexico collection ones - show them in various degrees. It is thus likely that the minting equipment used to was misadjusted and constantly produced slightly overweight planchets and that an ill-suited press was assigned to mint the comparatively few coins of 4 Escudos that were struck. The Mexico City mint was certainly capable of striking good quality 30 mm sized gold coins, as evidenced by the few choice specimens of the Grove-13 medal that exist. This is the most challenging gold type issued under Iturbide (and was apparently unknown until Betts published an example in the Supplement of his pioneering work "Mexican Imperial Coinage") with any unflawed specimens usually commanding strong attention. The present specimen example should be no exception. Among the very finest seen for this very scarce issue, and a type coin that would be most difficult to improve upon. Currently the highest certified specimen by NGC and PCGS and highly desirable in this lofty preservation.
Estimate: 7500-8500 USD