Record-Breaking Sale: 1609 Spanish Gold Centen Fetches $3.49 Million at Auction

A singular piece of Spanish numismatic history, the 1609 Segoviano Centen, commanded a staggering price at a Geneva auction on November 24, 2025. This monumental gold coin, a massive ingot of pure gold weighing 339 grams, achieved a final sale price equivalent to approximately 3.49 million US dollars. The transaction, conducted by the auction house Numismatica Genevensis SA (NGSA), established a new benchmark for European numismatic artifacts.

The hammer price, realized at 2,817,500 Swiss Francs, significantly surpassed the prior European record. That previous benchmark was held by a 100-ducat coin belonging to Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, which had previously sold for 1.95 million Francs. The starting bid for the Centen was set at 2 million Swiss Francs, indicating high expectations even before the bidding commenced.

This particular coin, valued at 100 Escudos, originated from the mint in Segovia during the reign of King Philip III. It stands as the largest gold coin struck in the 17th century. Crucially, this piece was never intended for daily commerce. Instead, its purpose was to serve as an ostentatious diplomatic gift. It was designed to visually underscore the immense wealth and burgeoning political aspirations of the Spanish Empire, wealth largely fueled by precious metals extracted from the New World.

What makes this specimen particularly unique is its status as the sole known example minted specifically in 1609, even though the production of the 100 Escudos denomination continued in subsequent years. The technical mastery involved in its creation is another key driver of its value. It was produced at the Royal Ingenio (Real Ingenio) in Segovia, a facility that had been upgraded under the direction of Philip II with the expertise of Austrian engineers.

Further details cementing its provenance include the depiction of the Segovia Aqueduct on the obverse side. The coin's purity was officially verified by the stamp of assessor Melchor Rodríguez del Castillo. Alen Baron, the founder of NGSA, characterized the piece as a “true royal gift” intended for another sovereign. Its dramatic history adds layers to its allure: the coin vanished for centuries before resurfacing in the United States around 1950.

Following its rediscovery, a collector in New York acquired it. A decade later, it was sold to a Spanish buyer, only to change hands again later through a private auction. Interest in this highly coveted “trophy asset” during the Geneva sale was robust, drawing bids from collectors and institutions across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

NGSA President Frank Baldacci had previously expressed confidence that the coin possessed all the necessary attributes to set new price ceilings, a prediction that proved accurate during the proceedings. This landmark sale firmly cements the Segoviano Centen’s position as the most expensive European coin sold to date. It powerfully illustrates the enduring value of numismatics connected to Spain’s Golden Age and its far-reaching global influence.