Spain (1580-91)-C Xo 2 maravedis
This is a two maravedis hammered at the Cuenca mint during the reign of Philip II of Spain (1556-98), he of the Spanish Armada. It appears to be pure copper to us but Numista states it was made from 0.014 fine silver. Besides Cuenca, others were made at Segovia, Granada, Toledo, Valladolid and Coruña. Cayón notes that the pomegranate on the reverse appears in different positions with respect to the lion. Part of "HISPANIARVM REX" can be made out on the reverse, indicating Latin legends. Some mints used Spanish legends. Many of these were counterstamped in the next reign to raise their value to four maravedis.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.2 g, 0.014 fine silver, 18 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3319 (pomegranate above the lion), Cayón-3320 (pomegranate below the lion, shown here), Cayón-3321 (pomegranate in front of the lion).
- 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.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
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