This is a copper pattern — KM#Pn4 designates it a prueba, never intended for general circulation. Chile's early republican mint at Santiago was still working through its denominational identity in the 1830s, and pattern strikes in copper were routine test pieces used to evaluate dies before committing to gold production. An 8 escudos coin in copper has no monetary logic; gold was the only medium for that denomination.
Surviving examples are rare by the nature of pattern coinage — struck in small numbers, distributed to officials or retained by the mint, and seldom documented in contemporary records.
This is a copper pattern — KM#Pn4 designates it a prueba, never intended for general circulation. Chile's early republican mint at Santiago was still working through its denominational identity in the 1830s, and pattern strikes in copper were routine test pieces used to evaluate dies before committing to gold production. An 8 escudos coin in copper has no monetary logic; gold was the only medium for that denomination.
Surviving examples are rare by the nature of pattern coinage — struck in small numbers, distributed to officials or retained by the mint, and seldom documented in contemporary records.