Ferdinand VI gold 8 Escudos 1747 Mo-MF AU53 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM149, Cal-780, Onza-596 (Very Rare). This immediately recognizable imaginary bust type, affectionately referred to as the "Dog Face" bust, was struck after a Royal Ordinance from Madrid was received in Mexico in May of 1747 (see AGN Mexico, Casa de Moneda, Vol. 87), instructing to change the coinage legends and design for the newly crowed King Ferdinand VI. Shortly after its receipt, the interim Director of the Mexico Mint, Andres Morales de los Rios, proposed to the Viceroy Juan Francisco de Guemes that new dies with an imaginary bust be produced before official punches were received from Spain. These official dies were not received till the end of 1747, so for the first half of the year, the "dog face" bust was utilized for production across several denominations, including the large-sized 8 Escudos. This particular example boasts deep peripheries and strong overall comportment as the flan maintains a comprehensive dandelion color. Some rub to the bust is visible but much less severe than other similarly-graded examples. Ex. Heritage Auction #3085 (August 2020, Lot 30256) HID09801242017 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website