A rarity in this series and apparently the first 4 Escudos of Colombia to depict Carlos III. Attractive light yellow gold with some contrasting encrustation outlining devices and traces of luster remaining in protected areas. A very handsome piece, free of significant problems. The strike is good and the distinctive portrait is well defined. The 6 underdigit beneath the 7 is easy to see under low magnification, and a die crack is noted atop the X of FELIX on the reverse.<br /><br />The Rat Nose or "Cara de Rata" type of Colombian 4 Escudos was produced in 1770 and 1771 exclusively (rumors of a 1769 remain unconfirmed). Both dates are extremely rare. Norweb owned only a 1771/0. Caballero de las Yndias included only an example of this date, 1770/60. Eliasberg owned only the 1771/0 issue. This collection is the first offered in recent memory to include both of these very rare dates. From the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins.<p>From Don Canaparo, January 1981.
