Spanish Shipwreck Blanca, 1469 to 1504, Ferdinand II Isabella I, NGC VF

Spain - Ferdinand II & Isabella I

1469 - 1504

NGC - VF Details

Spanish Blanca Coin - Toledo Mint

A NGC VF Details - Environmental Damage. A Possible Shipwreck Coin

CFerdinand II of Aragon (14521516) and Isabella I of Castile (14511504) were the Catholic Monarchs whose marriage in 1469 united Spain's two largest kingdoms, creating the foundation for a unified Spanish state. Together, they centralized royal authority, reduced the power of the nobility, and reformed the Spanish government and military.

Ferdinand and Isabella are best known for completing the Reconquista in 1492 by capturing Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. They also established the Spanish Inquisition to enforce religious uniformity. That same year, they sponsored Christopher Columbuss voyage, leading to the discovery of the New World and the expansion of the Spanish Empire.

Their reign marked a turning point in Spanish history, with significant achievements in exploration, state-building, and religious policy. However, their forced conversions and expulsions of Jews and Muslims remain controversial. Ferdinand continued to rule as Regent of Castile after Isabella's death, preserving their legacy of a powerful, centralized Spain.

The blanca was a denomination of coin used in medieval and early modern Spain, including during the late 15th century. It was a low-value coin, typically made of vellón, a mixture of copper and a small amount of silver. The blanca was widely circulated and commonly used for everyday transactions by the general population.Blancas served as part of the broader monetary system of the time, which also included higher denominations like reales and maravedís. These coins reflect the economic and administrative consolidation that Ferdinand and Isabella undertook during their reign..