Popayan turned out this 1838 16 Peso gold piece during the earliest years of the Republic of Nueva Granada, when Colombia replaced its 8 Escudo with a new peso-based gold coinage. The 16 Peso was the largest gold denomination of the era, and most of these heavy pieces were later melted or shipped abroad as bullion. Survivors from the Popayan mint are genuinely scarce today, and collectors of South American gold chase them hard. The RU assayer initials on the reverse tie this coin to a short window of Popayan production.

The obverse carries a left-facing Liberty head with LIBERTAD lettered across her headband, her hair falling in long, well-defined curls to a draped bust. REPUBLICA DE LA NUEVA GRANADA runs around the border in bold block letters, with the date 1838 below. On the reverse, a spread-winged condor holds a banner reading LIBERTAD I ORDEN above the national shield, which shows cornucopias, a pomegranate, and the isthmus with sailing ships beneath. The surrounding legend DIEZ I SEIS PESOS. POPAYAN R.U. is fully legible, and the devices show strong relief for a hand-struck issue of this size.

NGC graded this coin AU-53, with only light friction across the high points of the portrait and the shield. The fields keep warm yellow-gold color with traces of original luster around the letters and devices, and the surfaces are free of any serious distractions. Choice About Uncirculated gold from Popayan is difficult to locate at this denomination, since most examples that escaped the melting pot circulated heavily. A welcome addition to any collection of Latin American gold or 19th century world coinage. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

For questions about this coin or to confirm availability and pricing, call us at 800-928-6468.