Authentic Spanish Cob - 1 Reales - Dated 1806 - Madrid Mint - Mounted in Sterling Silver
$325
Denomination: 1 Reales
Mint: Madrid, Spain
Date: 1785
Reign: Charles IV
Assayer: I.J.
Weight: 2.2 grams
Grade: Mint
Description: 1 Reales Spanish Cob. Obverse: Legend (Carolus IIII – DEI GRATIA). Translation: “By the grace of god”. Bust of Carolus IIII facing left. Reverse: Shield between two Pillars (Pillars of Hercules). Legend: (HISPAN ET IND). Translation: “By the Grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies”.
History: There were several public and private royal mints in Spain until King Philip V, the First Bourbon King of Spain and Founder of the Bourbon Dynasty. It was King Philip V who decided to make minting coinage a state monopoly in the 18th century. During the reign of Isabella 1451-1504, there were seven public mints located in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Pamplona, Jubia, Segovia, and Manila (Philippines) - each mint with its own cypher and symbols. By 1869, only the Royal Mint in Madrid was in operation. Spain's monetary system was so well accepted throughout the world that it became the world trade currency for three centuries. This elevated Spain to dominate world trade, however, Spain was heavily indebted to multiple countries due to years-long wars and intrigues, that much of this treasure passed through Spain and went directly to those countries she was indebted to.
The Spanish Empire of the 18th and early 19th centuries was the leading producer of most of the world's coinage. Important Spanish mints and mining operations were then established in the Viceroyalty of Peru as early as the 1500's. This area of Northern South America now consists of the countries, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia. Royal Spanish mints were also erected in Mexico City. Seventy percent of the world's gold and silver were produced in the colonies between the 1500's and 1700's.
cob-1806
