5 Pounds Plugged cob 8 escudos of Felipe V, countermarked

Historical Context: This 1773 Jamaican 5 Pounds issue illustrates colonial monetary adaptation. The host coin, an 8 escudos cob of Felipe V (reigned 1700-1746), originated from Spanish colonial mints. Lacking its own mint, Jamaica relied on diverse foreign coinage. The 1773 countermarking and plugging standardized these Spanish gold pieces, integrating them into the island's economy at a fixed five-pound denomination, a practical solution to currency shortages and valuation challenges.

Artistry: The original 8 escudos cob exhibits a crude, hand-struck aesthetic, typical of Spanish colonial production. Its design features a Jerusalem cross and the Pillars of Hercules or royal arms, often off-center with partial legends. The 1773 Jamaican intervention was functional, not artistic. The "plugging" adjusted weight via a small gold insert, while the "countermark" was a practical punch, likely a crown, applied to signify revaluation and official acceptance within the colony.

Technical/Grading: Technically, the original cob host coin often displays inherent strike imperfections: irregular planchet shapes, variable metal quality, and frequently off-center strikes. For grading, the host coin's condition is assessed alongside the 1773 countermark's clarity and depth. High-points for the original cob are the central cross or shield, if well-struck. For the countermark, its impression's sharpness and the plug's integrity are crucial, as is the overall preservation of the gold surface.