Castile (1252-84)(ca) obolo
This specimen was lot 1165 in Stephen Album internet sale 28 (Santa Rosa, CA, July 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN: CASTILE & LEÓN: Alfonso X, 1252-1284, BI obolo, Cuenca, castle with bowl (cuenco) below, all within double square, CA-ST-EL-LE // lion standing left within double square, LE-GI-ON-IS, fully struck with very little weakness, lovely glossy patina, a superb example of this type, XF." Alfonso X, dubbed "the Wise" for his dabblings in law and astronomy, was king of Leon and Castile 1252-84. His last years were harassed by a civil war with his son, Sancho IV. This type, half a dinero, was struck at Burgos, Coruña, Cuenca, Leon, Murcia, Seville and without mintmark. The mintmark (a bowl) is below the castle.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 0.43 g.
Catalog reference: FAB-283, Cayón-1163.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Internet Auction 28, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
Link to: