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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Mesuno Coins
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Mesuno Coins

Artifact IDMO 63.1593a-c
Object Type Coin
Date circa 1620
Date PresentedDecember 17, 1961
Gifter
Place MadeSanta Fe de Bogota, Colombia, South America
Medium Gold
DimensionsOverall Diam 3/4 in (1.9 cm)
Physical DescriptionThree irregularly shaped gold hammered coins, denomination 2 escudos. Obverse is stamped with the crowned Hapsburg coat of arms. To the left of the coat of arms is the mint mark "NR" for "Nuevo Reino de Granada" and the assayer mark "A" for Anuncibay. The reverse shows the Jerusalem cross enclosed by four doubled arcs, fleurs-de-lis extend inward from the junctions of the arcs, with large annulets above the junctions. The surrounding legend (if complete) would read PHILIPUS III c. c. HISPANIAURUM REX."
Historical NotePreviously in the collection of the Gold Museum in Columbia. These coins were given to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by the First Lady of Colombia, Mrs. Camargo during Mrs. Kennedy's state visit to Colombia December 1961.
The coins are named for the place they were found, on the western side of the Magdalena River, the site of the sinking of a small vessel carrying gold to the Port of Cartagena in 1636.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a foreign official to the President and First Lady received through the Executive office during the Kennedy Administration and transferred to the General Service Administration where it was held until donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view