The Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Casa Real de la Moneda has launched (29th April) their second pure silver one-kilo coin which highlights various forms of money or coinage, which, at one time, circulated in Spain or the Americas. The first one-kilo collector’s coin was issued in 2017 and featured large size silver pieces prevalent in the Americas which inspired the development of the silver dollar.
The new one-kilo silver coin features the history of the many coins which were in circulation on Hispanic territory at some point during the period from its political and economic unification under the Romans to the dawn of the 21st century. The coin depicts various numismatic pieces which are essential to understanding the evolution of the various monetary systems that governed the economy of the Iberian Peninsula, some originating on home ground, while others were born of foreign influence and occupation.
Depicted On the Obverse Clockwise From the 12 O’Clock Position
1st Coin: The gold tremis, or one-third of the solidus. The Visigoths in the Kingdom of Toledo continued to strike them until its disappearance in the early eighth century, by which time the coins had acquired their characteristics in terms of types and legends, making it a vital source for political and social research into the Visigothic state. On the obverse is the image of the king front-facing surrounded by the legend: + RECCAREDVS REX. On the reverse, the image of the king is repeated, with the mint’s legend and the royal epithet: + TOLETO PIVS.
2nd Coin: The bronze as from the city of Bilbilis. The obverse includes the depiction of a man’s head (with or without a beard). On the reverse, we find the famous Iberian horseman, perhaps carrying a spear, a sword, an axe, a sickle, a javelin, pr similar instrument. Beneath the horse, the name of the city appears, written in the province’s alphabet.
3rd Coin: The silver peseta. After the revolution of 1868, which deposed Queen Isabel II, the Provisional Government decided to change the Spanish monetary system and did so for two reasons. First, Spain intended to join the Latin Monetary Union promoted by Napoleon III from December 1865. Formed initially by France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, the union was joined by Greece in 1868 and unofficially by Spain. Second, the new monetary system was created in October 1868 from “The triumph of the revolution commencing with the glorious Cádiz uprising that calls for a measure of the utmost importance: The re-minting of the currency.”
4th Coin: The Real de a ocho. In the days of King Carlos I, the Castilian real of 1497 would meet the need to create a stable silver currency for world trade and thanks to the massive discoveries of silver from the Americas, the coin was copiously minted to become the famous real de a ocho, which would hold sway over the world’s entire silver economy in the following centuries. In Spain, it remained in use until the reign of Isabel II.
Depicted On the Reverse Clockwise From the 12 O’Clock Position
1st Coin: The orichalcum sesterce of Hadrian. The sesterce had been a divisor of the silver denarius and had therefore been struck in silver, but ultimately, as it was the lowest divisor in silver, the coin was minted as the highest multiple in bronze. On the obverse is the emperor’s bust with cuirass, mantle, and laurel wreath, looking to the right and surrounded by the legend: IMP CAESAR DIVI TRAIAN AVG F TRAIAN HADRIAN OPT AVG GER. On the reverse, the image of Concordia seated on a throne to the left, holding a patera in her right hand, beneath CONCORDIA and S.C. Around her, the second part of the legend appears on the obverse: DAC PARTHICO PM TR P COS PP.
2nd Coin: Roman Republic as. This coin’s name, meaning “bronze” in Latin, has survived to present-day Spanish in the guise of a closely-related noun, ferrario público, meaning “treasury,” or “public funds.” The term derives from the Latin aerarium, the place where bronze coins, or asses, were kept in Rome. The obverse bears the figure of the two-faced Janus, a specifically Roman god after whom the month of January is named. On the reverse, a ship’s prow, found throughout the Roman Republic bronze system to commemorate Rome’s early sea victories against the Carthaginians. Next to it is the value sign I.
3rd Coin: Carolingian silver dinero of Louis the Pious. Introduced by Charlemagne under his reform of 793, this coin would prevail for centuries throughout the Christian West, although the quality of the pieces diminished as the silver content was gradually reduced, becoming dineros de vellon, and minted in an alloy of silver and copper. On the obverse, the centre includes a Greek cross surrounded by the legend: + HLVDOVICVS IMP. On the reverse is the mint’s name in three lines: BAR / CINO / NA (Barcelona).
4th Coin: Dirham of Abd al-Rahman I. Under the rule of the Umayyad Dynasty in al-Andalus, silver coins dominated over all other metals. The dirham specifically was the primary means of exchange, but, as it had no divisors or smaller pieces, the coin was routinely broken up for use in small transactions. Hence we find fragments worth half, a quarter, or a sixth of its value. On the obverse, is the kalima, which professes the unitary faith as the central motif. On the reverse is the central inscription of the Surah, or chapter 112, of the Quran.
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The obverse side also includes an effigy of HM King Don Felipe VI wearing the insignia of Captain General. His likeness is surrounded by the obverse and reverse of the four coins: The gold tremis, the bronze as from the city of Bilbilis, the silver peseta, and the real de a ocho. The legend which surrounds the entire design reads: UNIDADES MONETARIAS ESPAÑOLAS placed above the primary design and FELIPE VI REY DE ESPAÑA placed below.
The reverse side includes the inclusion of two Hercules’ columns girded with a band and the motto PLUS ULTRA. Below the columns is the Real Casa de la Moneda mintmark, a crowned “M.” On the left side of the primary design is the legend ESPAÑA 2019 and on the right side is the value of the coin 300 EURO.
|
Denom. |
Metal | Weight | Diameter | Quality |
Maximum Mintage |
| 300 euro |
.999 Silver |
1,007 g | 100 mm | Proof |
500 |
Each coin is individually numbered from 001 to 500 on its smooth edge and is presented in a custom polished wood 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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