1736 Spanish 8 Escudos Cob – Lima, Peru Mint

Description

1736 Spanish 8 Escudos Cob – Lima, Peru Mint

Struck in 1736 at the renowned Lima Mint in Peru, the Spanish 8 Escudos “cob” represented the pinnacle of colonial gold coinage in the Americas. These irregularly shaped hand-hammered coins—known as macuquinas in Spanish—were valued worldwide for their high gold purity and unmistakable character. Each cob was unique, a product of skilled craftsmanship rather than precise machinery, embodying the power and reach of the Spanish Empire in the 18th century.

A Symbol of Spanish Colonial Wealth

The Lima Mint was one of Spain’s most important colonial mints, drawing its gold from the Andes and producing coinage that fueled global trade. The 8 Escudos—known as the “doubloon” in English—was the largest denomination, worth a small fortune in its day and often found aboard treasure fleets sailing for Spain. Many of these ships never made it home, making surviving examples among the most coveted of all Spanish colonial coins.

Design and Significance

The obverse of the coin bears the crowned Spanish coat of arms within a quatrefoil design, while the reverse features the Jerusalem Cross surrounded by castles and lions, the heraldic emblems of Castile and León. The “L – 8 – P – H” mintmarks and assayer’s initials identify its Lima origin and the year 1736. These markings were struck by hand—each punch leaving subtle variations that make every piece distinctive.

Museum-Quality Replica

Our museum-quality replica faithfully reproduces the details of the original Lima 8 Escudos cob, capturing the irregular edges, bold cross, and worn surfaces characteristic of centuries-old treasure coins. It offers collectors, educators, and history enthusiasts an opportunity to hold a tangible piece of the Spanish colonial legacy—without the expense of an original that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Diameter: 32 mm

22k gold-plated lead-free fine pewter.