ECUADOR. 8 Escudos, 1850-QUITO GJ. Quito Mint. PCGS AU-55. Fr-8; KM-34.1. Seppa/Anderson-ECG98; CARR-93. A very elusive date in the entire series, particularly in this grade, this alluring example dazzles with glinting mint bloom. It is tied for the highest graded by PCGS, with only one AU-58 and one MS-62 Prooflike example from NGC surpassing this beauty. No example of comparable grade has been offered since we sold an AU Details example at the 2018 NYINC that reached $18,000. This piece is nicely struck for the type, but short of complete, with a few areas in the centers displaying softness. Grade-defining highpoint wear is almost entirely absent, with all easily identifiable instances of design incompleteness being tied to the aforementioned strike. Altogether, a highly alluring piece, and it is easy to get drawn into and entranced by the beauty. This premium coin is worthy of a premium bid and may reach hitherto underheard of levels.
