1742 Lima Mint Peru 8 Escudos Gold Cob NGC AU Details (26.67g)

The 1742 Lima Mint Peru 8 Escudos Gold Cob is one of the most historically significant coins of the Spanish colonial era, representing the largest gold denomination struck in the New World. Produced at the Lima Mint in present-day Peru and bearing the assayer initial V, this macuquina (cob) coin carries the characteristic hand-struck irregular planchet that defines the gold escudo coinage of 18th-century Spanish America. The obverse displays the crowned royal shield, while the reverse bears the bold Jerusalem Cross design with castles and lions in the quadrants — imagery that connected the coin directly to the authority of the Spanish Crown. At 26.67 grams, this piece meets the full standard weight for an 8 Escudos denomination. NGC has certified this coin at AU Details, noting surface scratches, and has encapsulated it in their tamper-evident hard plastic slab. The certification number 8560272-001 provides a permanent, traceable record with NGC's registry. For collectors of Colonial Spanish gold, World coinage, or shipwreck-era treasure coins, the Lima 8 Escudos remains an enduring centerpiece type with deep historical resonance.