Obverse

Reverse

1 Escudo (or similar fractional gold cob denomination)

Spanish Colonial Gold Escudo (Cob)

Spanish Empire (Minted in the New World, likely Lima or Mexico City) · 16th to 18th Century (Circa 1556-1732 style cob)

An irregular, hand-struck gold cob coin featuring the characteristic crowned arms of the Spanish Empire on one side and the Jerusalem cross with castles and lions on the other.

Country: Spanish Empire (Minted in the New World, likely Lima or Mexico City)
Year: 16th to 18th Century (Circa 1556-1732 style cob)
Denomination: 1 Escudo (or similar fractional gold cob denomination)
Metal: Gold (typically around .916 fine / 22 karat)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified October 14, 2026More spanish empire (minted in the new world, likely lima or mexico city) coins →

Explore Spanish Colonial Gold Escudo (Cob) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

At a glance

Coin: Spanish Colonial Gold Escudo (Cob)
Country: Spanish Empire (Minted in the New World, likely Lima or Mexico City)
Year: 16th to 18th Century (Circa 1556-1732 style cob)
Denomination: 1 Escudo (or similar fractional gold cob denomination)
Metal: Gold (typically around .916 fine / 22 karat)
Grade: About Uncirculated / Fine detail (typical of salvaged or well-preserved hand-struck cobs with strong central design features)
Mint mark: Not fully legible in photos, but typical mints include 'M' for Mexico City or 'L' for Lima.
Edge: Plain, uneven, and clipped, resulting from the hand-cutting of metal blanks from crude bars.
Weight / Ø: Varies by denomination (a 1 Escudo typically weighs around 3.38 grams and is roughly 15-20 mm irregularly shaped)
Mintage: Scarce to Rare; exact mintage figures are not available for colonial cob issues, and many were lost at sea or melted down.
Identified: October 14, 2026

Overview

An irregular, hand-struck gold cob coin featuring the characteristic crowned arms of the Spanish Empire on one side and the Jerusalem cross with castles and lions on the other.

Historical significance

Cob coins (from the Spanish 'cabo de barra' or end of the bar) were crudely struck gold and silver coins produced in the Spanish American mints and transported across the Atlantic via the Spanish treasure fleets. They are iconic pirate-era artifacts.

Obverse (front)

Features the crowned coat of arms of the Spanish monarchy surrounded by a partial legend (visible elements resembling 'HISPANIARUM').

Reverse (back)

Features the Jerusalem cross within a tressure, quartered with castles (representing Castile) and lions (representing León), surrounded by a legend ring.

Estimated value

$500 - $3,000+ depending on exact weight, denomination, mint clarity, and state of preservation.

What drives this coin's value

Completeness of the legends, clarity of the mint mark and assayer initials, overall centering, weight retention, and eye appeal.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated / Fine detail (typical of salvaged or well-preserved hand-struck cobs with strong central design features)

Mintage & rarity

Scarce to Rare; exact mintage figures are not available for colonial cob issues, and many were lost at sea or melted down.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Many modern brass or gold-plated souvenirs exist as pirate replicas. Check the specific gravity, gold content, and authenticity of edge hammer marks. Have it certified by a reputable grading service like NGC or PCGS.

Notable varieties & errors

Variations in the cross design, assayer marks, denomination pillars, and die combinations specific to Mexico City, Potosi, and Lima mints.

Similar coins

Modern replica souvenir coins (very common as tourist trinkets or pirate novelty items), silver cobs (Reales), and unauthorized replica doubloons.

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges with clean hands or cotton gloves. Store in a stable, low-humidity environment using inert materials like Mylar coin flips or archival boxes. Never clean, polish, or wash a cob coin.

Other spanish empire (minted in the new world, likely lima or mexico city) coins

See all

Spanish Colonial Silver Cob (Likely 2 Reales)

Spanish Empire (Minted in the Americas, such as Mexico City or Potosi) · Circa 16th to 18th Century (c. 1550-1730)

2 Reales (estimated based on size and design elements)

Spanish Colonial Cob (likely 8 Reales)

Viceroyalty of Peru or New Spain (Modern-day Mexico, Peru, or Bolivia) · c. 1572-1733

8 Reales (Piece of Eight)

8 Reales (Spanish Colonial 'Pieces of Eight')

Spanish Empire, Viceroyalty of Mexico (Mexico City Mint) · 1739; Philip V reign

8 Reales

Vatican City 2 Euro Commemorative Coin (World Meeting of Families)

Vatican City · 2008

2 Euro

8 Reales (Spanish Dollar) - Ferdinand VII

Kingdom of Spain, Mexico City Mint (Virreinato de Nueva España) · 1811

8 Reales

Heller

Holy Roman Empire / Free Imperial City of Aachen (now Germany) · The exact year is not visible on the coin. These types of hellers from Aachen were minted over a period, likely in the late 17th or 18th century.

12 Heller