Superb 1628-1635 Cartagena 2 Escudos NGC MS-62
Item #CC-0712 | 1628-1635 Cartagena 2 Escudos NGC MS-62
Mint: Cartagena, Colombia
Assayer: “E” Juan de la Era
Ruler/Period: King Philip IV
Weight: 6.84 grams
Grade: MS-62
For details and population on this coin from NGC, click on the serial number here: 8373907-002
Description: This rare doubloon is an absolutely superb example of a Cartagena 2 escudos minted during the reign of King Philip IV. The Cartagena mint was only open from 1622 to 1635 and only minted gold for a few of those years. To date, only four 1622’s are known to exist (mostly found on he Atocha shipwreck) and for the years 1623 through 1626, only 3 or four coins have been documented. Historical records also indicate that the mint was closed for most of 1629, which only leaves 7 years of production.
As of May of 2025, the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has only graded a total of 42 Cartagena 2 escudos from XF through uncirculated grades. Of the 42 coins graded, NGC has only graded 25 in mint state. Compare this figure with well over 500 Bogotá coins graded during the same period of King Philip IV. This would indicate that Cartagena’s two escudos are roughly ten times rarer than those minted in Bogotá!
This specimen displays on the obverse the letter “C” which is the mintmark that represents Cartagena, a portion of the letter “E” below the mintmark, which represents the assayer Juan de la Era, the denomination (II), and a complete Hapsburg shield adorned with the royal crown. You will also notice above the mint mark and denomination there are little crosses instead of dots, which is very unusual.
On the reverse, the coin displays an almost perfectly centered Jerusalem cross with little crosses instead of dots adorning each end and ornate fleur-de-lis occupying the four cross quadrants.
The overall eye appeal of this piece is stunning and it is extremely rare to find a Cartagena 2 escudos with a full shield and crown that is centered, a full cross with quatrefoil, mint mark, and denomination. This beautifully preserved and rare piece has everything you would want from an uncirculated Colombian doubloon!
For more information on the gold coins minted at the Cartagena mint, read our article here: https://commodorecoins.com/treasure-blog/doubloons-of-cartagena-the-first-gold-coins-minted-in-the-americas/
