2 Escudos - Fernando VI

Fernando VI ruled Spain from 1746 until his death in 1759, and his coinage from the Mexico City Mint spans only the final three years of his reign — a window further compressed by the lag between royal proclamation and die production in the colonies. The mint was the largest gold producer in the New World at the time, yet Fernando VI issues are notably scarcer than those of his predecessor Felipe V or his successor Carlos III, simply because fewer years meant fewer dies and fewer strikes.

Fernando died childless and without a named successor in place, precipitating a brief succession crisis resolved by the accession of his half-brother.