It is no secret that we have an affinity for featuring gold coins as our Treasure of the Month. In fact, since August of 2024, we have featured gold coins on five different occasions January 2026 (1 escudo from the Mexico City mint); July 2025 (Two 8 escudos from the Mexico City mint); June 2025 (Three 2 escudos from Santa Fe de Bogota and Cuzco mints); August 2024 ( escudo from the Lima mint); and October 2024 (One 8 escudos from the Lima mint).
This might seem like a lot, but when we come across a beautiful gold coin, it is hard for us to resist. That is the case for our Treasure of the Month for April, a high-grade 2 escudos from the Spanish colonial mint at Lima, Peru. Aside from its beauty, this coin has other distinguishing features and an historic pedigree.
Bearing a 1711 date (actually just 711 as Lima did not use the first digit on its gold or silver coins) it was the most common date in the Lima 2 escudos series. Interestingly, because of the 711 date, they were very popular in Las Vegas. In Numerology, 711 is a “message of encouragement” from the universe, indicating spiritual growth.” But in Las Vegas, there was nothing spiritual about the number. It was simply associated with winning. This has cemented the phrase “7 come 11” and the idea of 711 as a winning combination. These coins were often committed to jewelry, where they were worn proudly by gamblers for good luck.
Generally speaking, Lima 2 escudos from the 1715 Fleet are quite rare. The mintage of 2 escudos in 1711 was only 7,367. It is significantly rarer than its big brother, the Lima 8 escudos, which boasted a mintage of over 52,000 in 1711. Just how rare can be seen by an inventory conducted in 1968 by Lou UllianLouis J. (Lou) Ullian (1932 – 2010) Was a diver and original member of the Real Eight Company. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts he served in the U.S. Navy, Naval Weapons Station from 1956 – 19... More, an original Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lis... More member. He prepared an inventory of all gold coins found by the Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lis... More from the beginning of operations (1961) up to and including 1968. According to that inventory, there were 1,604 2 escudos gold coins found. Of that number, only 146 were from the Lima mint. That amounts to only 9% of all 2 escudos found. Since that time, several other 2 escudos from the Lima mint have been recovered at the Douglas Beach wreck site, but still far below those from the Mexico City mint.
Our featured treasure has a full weight of 6.8 grams and an NGC grade of MS 63. This coin is further distinguished by the fact that it was part of the Tricentennial Treasure of the 1715 Fleet. In June 2015, a large group of gold coins (estimated at approximately 100) was recovered at the Douglass Beach wreckA 1715 Fleet wreck site located a few miles south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. It is often referred to by its old name, “Colored Beach.” In some early Real Eight Company correspondence, it was referr... More site by the Schmitt family, who were subcontractors of 1715 Fleet — Queens Jewels, LLC. This was just a month before the 300 th anniversary of the loss of the 1715 Fleet on July 31 (specifically 299 years and 322 days). Quite remarkable!
Special thanks to Sal Guttuso (Member #226), Director of Operations for 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC, for providing images for our post. This coin can be found on page 59 of his book “Gold Coins of the Tricentennial Discovery”, published in 2025 (see cover image below). Also, thanks to Fleet Society Vice President Phil Flemming for his research on gold coins from the Lima mint that was used to prepare the text for our Treasure of the Month.
