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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,858 |
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
The Madrid Mint remained in Madrid (crowned M mintmark); the Segovia Mint (aqeduct mintmark) remained in Segovia, but the Catalonia mint (uncrowned C mintmark) moved around! As I understand it, Catalonians loyal to Ferdinand VII picked up their coin-making equipment and moved each time the French army advanced or departed! As Vico* says "The minting period of these coins coincides with the Napoleonic Occupation of Catalonia. So the mint moved around different places unoccupied by the French, and these pieces were made in Reus, Tarragona, Majorca, and finally, in Barcelona". * see footnote of Acunaciones de la Case de Bourbon, by Jesus Vico Monteoliva and Fernando P. Segarra, Madrid 1985 edition, page 341 (and other pages) A Catalonian 8 Reales   A 4 Reales   A 2 Reales   and a 1 Real   Cheers, Bill
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
This is indeed a mint with a lot of mystery - you don't know for sure where your coin comes from :) I think that depending on the date you can get a hint, but there is nothing on the coin giving clues. Oh, and regarding the value of those ... they are scarce, and thus expensive. Here is the only one I got from this mint - a superb 2 reales :    Edited by MathieuMa
03/31/2012 03:47 am
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Pillar of the Community
 778 Posts |
A superb piece indeed! Thanks for showing it!
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
Hello MathieuMa,
Our illustrations point out the marked difference in our collecting methods.
You obviously go for quality, while I try for completeness.
By completeness, I mean that I try (actually tried, 15 to 20 years ago), for one example of each mainland silver and copper type and denomination of every Spanish monarch, Ferdinand and Isabella to Ferdinand VII.
I have almost all. Sadly, though, most are just Very Fine or better. Very few match the quality of your coins, and some, as you have seen, badly need upgrading.
At the end of the day, I think you chose the right route!
All the best,
Bill
P.S. - Perhaps you would like contact me directly for further discussion of our numismatic interests.
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
Actually, I collect exactly as you do, one of each type from Catholic Kings till Ferdinand VII. I go for one of each "visual" type - except for Felipe II for which I'm trying to get one per mint as well. Ferdinand VII is challenging, with all its different kind of portraits and temporary mints. For the Cataluña mint, if I remember well, there is actually a unique portrait for 1809-1810 - the one you have on your 8 reales and the one on my 2 reales. Which mean I'll have to get all those :) I also extended to medieval since year 1000 - but it's way more complicated (and costly ) due to the way spain was (not united) - this is a side collection in fact. I also have more used coins (I have over 600 different spanish coins) - it's just that I usually post the best ones here ;) I have a lot posted on the spanish forum I'm also member if you want to check ( http://www.numismaticageneral.com/)Feel free to contact me directly as well if you want - but as long as it's interesting for everyone, we can continue to chat here :) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1962 Posts |
Good topic to post on... coins of this mintmark (really the only way to categorize them given the backstory) are definitely scarce. Really, only the 2Rs are seen with any regularity.
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
An excellent book on the subject is La Moneda Catalana de la Guerra de la Independencia (1808-1814) by E. Goig (Barcelona, 1974). It gives the historical background, illustrates both the French and Spanish Catalonian coin types of the period, and gives scarcity ratings.
In reference to the "Moving Mint, it says in part -
1 Feb 1809 - Started in Reus (a Spain city south of Barcelona)
26 Feb 1809 - The French occupy Reus. The mint machinery and utensils are moved to Tarragoa.
31 mar 1809 - They return to Reus.
21 March 1809 - The French reoccupy Reus. (back to Tarragona).
And so on, as the Spanish Mint, making coins in the name of Ferdinand VII, is forced to move again and again.
Bill
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
I have to buy a lot of books, I've added that one to my list.
... but first ... I have to learn to read spanish better :)
I'm getting used to read it a bit, but it's not enough yet to properly read long tests (longer than forum posts).
That's one of the thing I love with coin collecting : there is a lot of history to learn from them, and the more you dig, the more you have questions.
Researching is so much fun and interesting :)
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,858 |
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Posted 03/31/2012 05:02 am
