1819 NR JF Columbia Gold 8 Escudo NGC MS62 Wings

At a time when explorers sailed through uncharted waters and the Spanish Empire was expanding
into the Americas, coins were used as a sign of influence and dominance over conquered territories.
Escudo Coins: The Currency of the New World
The Spanish Escudo emerged during this era as a prominent gold coin, not just in Europe, but also in
the territories that would eventually become the United States. In a time when each American colony
had its own currency practices, the Spanish Escudos provided a form of universally recognized value.
They circulated widely across the Americas and served as currency that transcended borders and
united the people of the region in commerce.
Money & The Americas
Before the arrival of European settlers, Native Americans engaged in a complex web of trade and
commerce. They used a variety of items as forms of exchange, including shells, beads, and other
materials. These commodities held value within their societies and enabled trade with neighboring
tribes. This early system of exchange reflects the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the region's
indigenous people.
As colonists from Europe began to settle in the Americas, people began using the currency of their
homelands. In the early 1700s, Spain established a strong presence across the American continent
and the Spanish Escudo became the most widely circulated in the world.
As years passed, different versions of the Spanish Escudo were minted in the Spanish Colonies, each
with its own distinctive features. These variations tell a story of changing times, evolving designs, and
shifting power dynamics. From the early Colonial Escudos to those minted during the reigns of
different Spanish monarchs, each coin is a window into a specific time period