Spanish Silver 'Half-Reale' Ferdinand and Isabella 1469-1504 Ref. 40MY
Noted for being the first coin minted in the Kingdom of Spain, the silver Spanish Reale (meaning 'Royal") dates back to the time of Christopher Columbus.
Isabella, heiress to the throne of Castille, married Ferdinand, King of Naples and Sicily, and heir to the throne of Aragon, in 1469. Ferdinand and Isabella represent the beginnings of the modern Spanish coinage by issuing one design for all of unified Spain. The coin show, on the reverse, a bunch of arrows, representing the Arms of Isabella, and, on the obverse, a Yoke, representing the Arms of Ferdinand.
The 'New World' was an uncharted land, and many people still believed the world to be 'flat'. This made the funding for Columbus's voyage very difficult - which sailor would want to drop off at the edge of the world?? Eventually, it was Ferdinand and Isabella who came to his rescue and provided the funds necessary.
The coin shown is a hammered silver coin, measuring approximately 20-21 mm in diameter. In fairly good condition, the inscriptions can be partially seen. Hammered coins were produced by placing a thin sheet of metal, either gold, silver or copper, between two dies, and striking the top die as to create an image on each side. Because of this method, it was difficult to produce coins of a regular diameter, and, often coins were 'cut' i.e. slivers of the coins were removed by unscrupulous traders and the metal, (silver or gold), and the thin slivers eventually re-sold.
This coin was discovered in England through metal detecting.
Please note - I am NOT a numismatist, but, from my research, I believe this coin is dated and identified correctly. My apologies, if I am wrong.
Price R450.00
Post R65.00, Courier R100.00
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