The Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Casa Real de la Moneda has released (23rd September) their latest collector coins which are in observation of the country’s premier law enforcement organisation. The Guardia Civil, which celebrates its 175th anniversary of creation in 2019, is currently the oldest law enforcement agency with responsibilities that cover the whole of Spain. Founded as a national police force in 1844 during the reign of Queen Isabel II by Francisco Javier Girón (1803–1869), the Second Duke of Ahumada and Fifth Marquess of Amarillas, who was an 11th generation descendant of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II.
Organised first as a military force charged with police duties, it has evolved into functions which oversee patrols in rural areas that also include highways and ports of entry. Their role also consists of the jurisdiction to investigate crimes, while the Policía Nacional deals with safety in urban situations. The first Guardia police academy was established in the town of Valdemoro in 1855 and it was at this time that graduates were outfitted with the Guardia’s now-famous tricorne (or cavalier’s hat) as part of their duty dress uniform.
Today, the Guardia Civil takes on a regular national role, in addition to specific foreign peace-keeping missions. As a national police force, the Guardia Civil is comparable with France’s National Gendarmerie, Italy’s Carabinieri, Portugal’s National Republican Guard, and the Netherland’s Royal Marechaussee, and are part of the European Gendarmerie Force.
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The reverse of the coin includes. at the top, a front-facing portrait of the founder Francisco Javier Girón, Second Duke of Ahumada y Ezpeleta, which is framed in an oval shape and placed in the centre. The image is reproduced from an oil portrait now at the Army Museum in Toledo, and Vicente López Portaña painted the portrait. Below the portrait is the inscription DUQUE DE AHUMADA. In the lower part of the coin and in the centre, is the denomination 10 EURO. On both sides, are the emblems of the “Guardia Civil” in colour, and to the right is the mintmark of the Casa Real. On the left side of the coin and along the rim is the legend 175 ANIVERSARIO, while to the right is GUARDIA CIVIL.
On the obverse is a left-facing effigy of His Majesty King Felipe VI, wearing the insignia of the Commander of the Armed Forces. Above his majesty’s portrait is the legend FELIPE VI REY DE ESPAÑA (“Felipe VI King of Spain”). Under the portrait, between two dots, is the mint year 2019.
| Denom. | Metal | Weight | Diameter | Quality | Maximum Mintage |
| 10 euro | .925 Silver | 27 g | 40 mm | Proof with applied colour | 7,500 |
Each silver Proof and colour coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom Real Casa de la Moneda case, accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information about this coin and others offered by the FMNT — Real Casa de la Moneda, please visit their website.
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