Moneta's Temple and Gallery

Spain - Ferdinand & Isabella ~1474 - Blanca

Moneta — Mon, 27 May 2019 13:43:36 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: +FERNANDV(S ET ELIS) or similar, much off-flan. crowned calligraphic 'F' monogram of Ferdinand II; pellets in fields left and right and lower field between legs of 'F' monogram. Catholic Monarchs. Calico e Trigo, type 213, Cf. 486-492. Cuenca mint. 19.84 mm .65g. 8h (tentative description, more research required)

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Spain - Ferdinand and Isabella - Double Excelentes

Moneta — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 14:26:42 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Double Excelente (post.1497), Sevilla. Ø 30 mm; 6.96 g. Obv.: + FERNANDVS·ET·ELISABET·DEI·GRATIA·: Ferdinand and Isabella, crowned and face to face. Ermine with dots (assayers mark) above and "S" (Seville) is the mintmark located between the monarchs' chests. Rev.: SVB·VNBRA·ALARVN·TVARVM·PROT· "sub umbra alarum tuarum protege nos" = "In the shadow of the wings take us under your protection"; haloed eagle of the evangelist John behind the crowned coat of arms. Here the eagle does not hold the arms in its claws, as on other 2 Excelentes issues, of which there are many types and varieties. The Coat of Arms, post 1497, is now newly combined and represents the kingly possessions of both Catholic Monarchs: Castile - León | Aragón - Sicily, and below a pomegranate representing newly freed Granada (1492). The well known image of the royal couple facing each other and the united coats of arms on the reverse indicates the firm intention to unite the kingdoms of Castile and Aragón. Special Exelentes issues of values up to 50 excelentes were also minted and are very rare . The image of the obverse became very popular and was copied by other royal couples: by Philip II & Mary Tudor, by Francis II & Maria Stuart and by Albert & Isabel, governors of the Spanish Netherlands. This era generally recognized as the time when the Middle Ages are fading and the Modern Era begins, and coincides with the Age of Discovery. Coin engraving was more advanced and seeking better portrait details. The engraver tried for an individual representation, but did not achieve recognizability. Please see the NEXT image of the same coin with a different lighting scheme.

Spain - Ferdinand & Isabella 1 Real

Moneta — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 16:06:45 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Ferdinand and Isabella (ND 1474 - 1504) - 1 silver Real minted in Seville. The coin appears to retain an original patina with very little, is well struck and little clipping and still showing full legends. Mass is 3.05 g and 25mm. The Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II & Isabella I were highly influential on the history of Spain and the world. Ferdinand was king of Aragon while Isabella was the Queen of Castile. Their union in marriage, and as shared monarchs of Spain, essentially united the kingdoms into a unified Spain although the two were actually governed separately. The symbolism of this unity is expressed on both sides of this coin. The obverse, shown in reverse order here, shows their Coat of Arms, what's not seen on the coin is their motto "'tanto monta', ("as much one as the other"). the outer legend here is : FERNANDVS ET A ELISABET:D The reverse features the symbol of Ferdinand II as a double yoke of the type used for oxen, as in two monarchs working together. For Isabella we see a bundle of arrows, not dissimilar to a fasces. The outer legend is: + REX : ET : REGINA : CAST : LEGION : ARAGO : the meaning being KING and Queen of Castile and Aragon.

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Spain - Ferdinand & Isabella - Blanca, 1474 - 1504

Moneta — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 18:12:56 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: +FERNANDV(S ET ELIS) or similar, much off-flan. crowned calligraphic 'F' monogram of Ferdinand II; pellets in fields left and right and lower field between legs of 'F' monogram. Calico e Trigo, type 213, Cf. 486-492. Segovia mint. 19.84 mm .65g. 8h.

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