Peru 8 Escudos 1747 "Only 10 Graded NGC" NGC 50
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Only 10 Graded by NGC – Rare Peru 1747 Lima 8 Escudos of Ferdinand VI NGC 50
KM-47; Cal-756; Onza-556 (Rare); Oro Macuqino-556. Weight: 26.94 grams.
A spectacular survivor from the twilight of the cob coinage, this 1747 Lima-minted 8 Escudos of Ferdinand VI stands as a golden emblem of Spain’s fading imperial grandeur—and one of only 10 examples graded by NGC across all designations. A rare, later-date issue from the storied Lima mint, the piece offers an alluring blend of bold peripheral design, honest circulation wear, and deep golden patina, described by collectors as a “harvest tone” that reflects both age and majesty. It comes preserved in its original collector’s envelope, further adding to its old-world charm.
The Reign of Ferdinand VI: An Empire at the Crossroads
Ferdinand VI (r. 1746–1759), son of Philip V and his first queen Maria Luisa of Savoy, ascended to the throne in the wake of decades of warfare and dynastic upheaval. His reign—though short—was marked by a rare interlude of peace, internal reform, and diplomatic neutrality, earning him the nickname el Prudente ("the Prudent"). Unlike his warlike predecessors, Ferdinand VI worked to stabilize the crown’s finances, depoliticize court life, and revive a faltering imperial administration.
While his half-brother Charles (later Charles III of Spain) would become synonymous with Enlightened absolutism, it was Ferdinand who first laid the groundwork. He encouraged commerce, reined in corruption, and invested in science and infrastructure. Yet, even during this relatively calm era, the gold and silver extracted from the Americas remained the essential lifeline of the Spanish economy—and coins like this one were the literal fuel of empire.
A Final Flourish of the Cob Era
By 1747, cob-style coinage was nearing extinction, gradually replaced by machine-struck portrait coinage that reflected the Bourbon monarchy's desire for greater standardization and control. This late-date example is part of the last generation of “Oro Macuquino”—the hand-hammered gold coins that had defined colonial wealth since the 1500s.
Struck in Lima—one of the three major colonial mints in Spanish America—this 8 Escudos would have been made from raw, freshly refined Andean gold, likely drawn from the mines of Potosí or other sources in the Viceroyalty of Peru. Its hefty 26.94 grams represent not only wealth, but also the enduring legacy of a pre-modern economic system reliant on precious metal extraction and transatlantic trade.
A Collector’s Rarity
With only 10 examples certified by NGC, this coin is a true rarity. Its state of preservation—graded AU50—places it at the intersection of history and aesthetic allure. The sharply defined cross and tressure, partial legends, and pleasing coloration all speak to a piece that circulated lightly before being carefully preserved. The inclusion of the original collector envelope only deepens its numismatic pedigree.
In Conclusion
This 1747 Lima 8 Escudos is more than just a coin—it is a rare, golden fragment from the end of an era: the final decades of cob coinage, the rise of Bourbon reformism, and the waning light of Spain’s American dominion. Scarce, storied, and visually stunning, it is a relic of Ferdinand VI’s quiet but crucial reign—and a treasure by every definition.
KM-47; Cal-756; Onza-556 (Rare); Oro Macuqino-556. Weight: 26.94 grams.
A spectacular survivor from the twilight of the cob coinage, this 1747 Lima-minted 8 Escudos of Ferdinand VI stands as a golden emblem of Spain’s fading imperial grandeur—and one of only 10 examples graded by NGC across all designations. A rare, later-date issue from the storied Lima mint, the piece offers an alluring blend of bold peripheral design, honest circulation wear, and deep golden patina, described by collectors as a “harvest tone” that reflects both age and majesty. It comes preserved in its original collector’s envelope, further adding to its old-world charm.
The Reign of Ferdinand VI: An Empire at the Crossroads
Ferdinand VI (r. 1746–1759), son of Philip V and his first queen Maria Luisa of Savoy, ascended to the throne in the wake of decades of warfare and dynastic upheaval. His reign—though short—was marked by a rare interlude of peace, internal reform, and diplomatic neutrality, earning him the nickname el Prudente ("the Prudent"). Unlike his warlike predecessors, Ferdinand VI worked to stabilize the crown’s finances, depoliticize court life, and revive a faltering imperial administration.
While his half-brother Charles (later Charles III of Spain) would become synonymous with Enlightened absolutism, it was Ferdinand who first laid the groundwork. He encouraged commerce, reined in corruption, and invested in science and infrastructure. Yet, even during this relatively calm era, the gold and silver extracted from the Americas remained the essential lifeline of the Spanish economy—and coins like this one were the literal fuel of empire.
A Final Flourish of the Cob Era
By 1747, cob-style coinage was nearing extinction, gradually replaced by machine-struck portrait coinage that reflected the Bourbon monarchy's desire for greater standardization and control. This late-date example is part of the last generation of “Oro Macuquino”—the hand-hammered gold coins that had defined colonial wealth since the 1500s.
Struck in Lima—one of the three major colonial mints in Spanish America—this 8 Escudos would have been made from raw, freshly refined Andean gold, likely drawn from the mines of Potosí or other sources in the Viceroyalty of Peru. Its hefty 26.94 grams represent not only wealth, but also the enduring legacy of a pre-modern economic system reliant on precious metal extraction and transatlantic trade.
A Collector’s Rarity
With only 10 examples certified by NGC, this coin is a true rarity. Its state of preservation—graded AU50—places it at the intersection of history and aesthetic allure. The sharply defined cross and tressure, partial legends, and pleasing coloration all speak to a piece that circulated lightly before being carefully preserved. The inclusion of the original collector envelope only deepens its numismatic pedigree.
In Conclusion
This 1747 Lima 8 Escudos is more than just a coin—it is a rare, golden fragment from the end of an era: the final decades of cob coinage, the rise of Bourbon reformism, and the waning light of Spain’s American dominion. Scarce, storied, and visually stunning, it is a relic of Ferdinand VI’s quiet but crucial reign—and a treasure by every definition.
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