Philip IV 2 Escudos

This 2 Escudos coin from Philip IV's reign was struck using gold shipped from the New World mines, often to cover Spain's mounting war debts during the Thirty Years' War.

That gold didn't always arrive pure. Assayers in Seville frequently recycled it from damaged coins or bullion, ensuring the metal stretched further amid Europe's conflicts.

The obverse shows Philip IV's armored bust, a design meant to project royal authority. On the reverse, the Pillars of Hercules flanked by crowns symbolize Spain's global reach.

We don't know the exact mintage figures. Records from that era are spotty, with many lost to time or pillage.

One oddity: These coins sometimes turned up in unexpected places, like a Dutch merchant's ledger. History's way of crossing borders, I suppose.