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Popayan, Colombia, 8 escudos, 1838UR, encapsulated NGC XF-45, possibly unique.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Dr. Frank Sedwick Collection of Colombian Coins Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Popayan, Colombia, 8 escudos, 1838UR, encapsulated NGC XF-45, possibly unique.
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Popayan, Colombia, 8 escudos, 1838UR, encapsulated NGC XF-45, possibly unique. Sedwick-7. Restrepo-unlisted (cf. 166). KM-82.2. Truly for the advanced numismatic scholar, with notable differences from the rest of the series, particularly the bust, which resembles that of the popular Ecuador 8 escudos that began in the same year (also with the letters of POPAYAN more haphazardly spaced), in a tolerable grade with no problems. The wear on this coin, in fact, as well as its elegant old toning, is somewhat comforting, as it serves to authenticate the piece in the absence of any other specimens to compare with. Naturally it is RRRR in Sedwick and Rare in KM, not even mentioned in Restrepo, and Frank made it clear that no other pieces were ever recorded, at auction or elsewhere. Therefore it is impossible to accurately estimate its value, but we do know that in 1983 Frank turned down an offer of $10,000 for this piece. We could not even find a similar XF 1838 8 escudos from Ecuador to compare with (KM says $8,000), but note that the Eliasberg specimen in AU-55 realized $39,100. It remains to be seen if the present coin will appeal more to collectors of Ecuador than of Colombia (for Ecuador in fact was originally part of Colombia, and some of its smaller gold coins up through 1835 actually say EL ECUADOR EN COLOMBIA), but in theory both camps should have a strong interest. We just hope the new owner will be able to further the research and determine exactly why this coin exists at all. Stack's 6/77. Dr. Frank Sedwick collection of Colombian Republic gold coins