Featured The "Queen", a 50 Reales of Segovia, 1635

Thank you.

That is a very good question. I don't know if anyone has undertaken a census of all the dates. I know that the 1635 date has a high number, relative to other dates, at 12. Other dates are extremely low, so I really can't provide anything but a wild guess.

This denomination was produced 20 years, during the period of 1609 to 1682.

Here are the dates and KM #s for the 50 reales issued by Philip III:

1609 C KM#37
1610 C KM#37
1613 AR KM#37
1614 AR KM#37
1617 A+ KM#65
1618 A+ KM#65
1620 A+ KM#65

Here are the dates and KM #s for the 50 reales issued by Philip IV:

1622 A+ KM#81.1
1623 A+ KM#81.1
1626 A+ KM#81.2,Cal#239
1628 A+ KM#81.2,Cal#240
1631 A+ KM#81.2
1632 R KM#81.3
1633 R KM#81.3. 6-arch aqueduct
1633 R KM#81.4. 4-arch aqueduct
1635 R KM#81.5
1636 R KM#81.5
1651 I KM#81.5
1652 BR KM#81.5
1659 BR KM#81.5

Charles II produced the 50 reales for one year:

1682 M KM#196

 

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Yes, my wife put up with me and all my quirks, but I guess that is what marriage is really all about. I do miss her terribly.

 

For those interested, here is link to a website that discusses the history of the Segovia Mint:

http://www.segoviamint.org/english/history.htm

 

I was planning on making this post another thread, but then I thought that this coin would fit nicely in thread on the 1635 50 reales of Segovia.

The Royal Mint of Segovia has its origins in 1583, when Philip II constructed the mint, installing then state-of-the-art presses of German origin, powered by hydraulic wheels.

This new system was the first mechanized system to produce coinage in Spain, which hitherto was produced by hammer dies. The hammer die mode of coin production continued at the old Segovia Mint and at other mints in Seville, Toledo, Granada, Madrid and Valliodid well into the reign of Charles II.

The new method of coin production at Segovia created coins essentially round in shape, with generally well centered strikes and very clear detail, generally, especially compared to the hammered coinage.

The dies produced during Philip II reign represent some of the finest, with great care taken in the die preparation and engraving. The result is coinage that is both beautiful and intriguing.

The coin pictured below was acquired in 1992, along with a "Wildman" thaler of 1589. Struck in 1590, this coin depicts the Spanish Hapsburg shield on the obverse (perhaps the reverse to some of you), and the quadrant lions of Leon and castles of Castile on the reverse, the date 1590 above.

Spain, 1590
8 reales
Philip II
Segovia Mint
Obverse: Spanish Hapsburg shield, crown above, aqueduct with an angel's head above to the left, VIII to the right, legend: PHIILIPPVS D G HISPANIARVM.
Reverse: Quadrant lions and castles (castles rendered in a 3-d style), legend: ET INDIARVM REX, 1590 above.
27.0 grams
40 mm, 12 h.

 

Love it. I think the 1590 is one of the most attractive of the 8R from Segovia. This is a type high up on my wantlist ever since visiting Segovia. The aqueduct there is incredible.