Spain 1871-DE M 5 pesetas (74)
This specimen was lot 73514 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, June 2020), where it sold for $156. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. 5 Pesetas, 1871 (74)-DE M. Madrid Mint. Amadeo I. PCGS AU-58 Gold Shield. A vibrant specimen displaying very little evidence of any real handling, this example displays intense luster and a subtle array of frosting to the devices. Some scattered spots of darker tone are speckled throughout." The ouster of the monarchy in 1868 failed to bring stability to Spain. A short-lived republic yielded to the rule of Amadeo I, a prince from Italy who, finding nobody willing to listen to his suggestions, abdicated in 1873 and returned to Italy. In 1874, Isabel's son Alfonso was invited to assume the crown and coins were issued in his name. In 1869, the peso was reduced to 25 grams and set equal to five pesetas with each peseta divisible into 100 centimos. This system would prevail until the coming of the euro. This design was struck in large numbers 1871-75 and is fairly common in grades up to Very Fine; this date is rare despite the large mintage. The actual date is not the "1871" below Amadeo's bust but the tiny "18-74" in the obverse stars.
Recorded mintage: 7,874,992[2].
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: Cayón-17451, KM 666, Cal. 9, Dav-337.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [2]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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The June 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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