1742-1788 Spain Gold Half Escudo NGC AU

America's First Legal Tender -- Colonial-Era Gold 1/2 Escudo Coins!

Spanish Gold That Fostered American Liberty!

Strange as it may sound today, America's first official legal tender gold coins weren't American at all -- they were Spanish! However, when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. As a newly independent country, there was little time to organize the striking of hard currency. So, as a result, daily commerce in the early years of the United States was conducted using gold coins produced by foreign governments. One of the five gold denominations struck by Spain and circulated in America, the 1/2 Escudo lined the pockets and cash boxes of colonists throughout the young country.

The Blueprint of U.S. Currency, a Vanishing Relic!

Together with its four golden brethren, the 1/2 Escudo became part of the model for American currency, serving as the forbearer to the Dollar. The Spanish 1/2 Escudo would remain U.S. legal tender for more than 81 years until 1857. However, in the days before the famous gold rushes of the 1800s, many 1/2 Escudo coins in circulation were melted down to produce U.S. coins. That's the main reason why only an estimated 1% of the original mintage is still in existence today!

Very Limited Quantity, a Must-Have for Your Collection!

Fortunately, our buyers have located a small number of 1/2 Escudo coins from 1742-1788 -- the years that they were highly prized in colonial and post-independence America. Order now and we'll choose either a King Ferdinand VI Portrait 1/2 Escudo from 1742-1759 or a King Carlos III Portrait 1/2 Escudo from 1759-1788 to send directly to you. Your coin will come graded About Uncirculated (AU) by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), sonically-sealed in an acrylic holder along with an exclusive "Legal Tender Until 1857" label. In addition, your coin will arrive in a specially crafted wood presentation case along with a Gold Escudos story booklet and checklist. We only have a few of these Gold 1/2 Escudo coins in our vault. Due to their exceptional condition, we're not expecting them to stay ours for long -- make one yours today!