8 Escudos - Carlos IV bust of Carlos III, CAROL IIII

Carlos IV ascended the Spanish throne in 1788 but continued authorizing coinage bearing his father's portrait well into his own reign — a deliberate political choice to project continuity during an increasingly unstable period for the Bourbon monarchy. The Santiago mint struck this type across nearly two decades, spanning the French Revolution, the Napoleonic invasion of Spain, and the early tremors of colonial independence movements that would eventually dissolve the empire itself.

The prolonged use of Carlos III's likeness on Carlos IV coinage has made precise date attribution essential for collectors, as the series spans multiple assayers at Santiago.