Patriots of the Second Continental Congress, which included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin, granted the Spanish 2 Escudo Gold coin legal tender status in 1776 because of its known purity and value. The 2 Escudo is about halfway in size between a U.S. $2.50 and $5.00 gold coin. Each bears the image of the Spanish King when they were struck, and are known as “Portrait” gold. Because of their high value they circulated widely in the American colonies. Most were melted. Very few survived in the collectible Very Fine Grade we are offering here.