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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,865 |
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
I have this large (33mm) 4.76gm copper, 15th century, coin labelled as that of Ferdinand II (possibly Federico III) of Aragon and Naples (who later, after marrying Isabella, became Spanish King Ferdinand III).
Problem is, I don't remember the denomination. Can you help?
Thanks,
Bill  Edited by BillSnyder
12/13/2014 9:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Based on the size I would assume 8 Maravedis.
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Pillar of the Community
 778 Posts |
I wonder if this coin may pre-date Maravedis?
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
With the size it could also be a Jeton.
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
I don't have all my books handy at the moment, but if I recall correctly, use of the word maravedà to refer to Spanish denominations extends at least as far back as the 1100's. They began as gold coins and later transitioned to silver and then copper. The word was also used to refer to the unit of account that differed in value from the coin. This caused confusion which led a later ruler of Spain to abandon the coin in the early 1300's. The term continued to refer to the unit of account, but it wasn't until the 1500's that the copper maravedis were coined again.
I deal mainly with 18th and 19th century coins, but I have references in my library for most Spain related items.
If I find anything I'll post again.
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
Thanks for clarifying. As it happens it was still enlightening (at least for me) :)
Once I got to the bookshelf I found that maravedÃs were again being coined by the time of Ferdinand and Isabel (circa 1500) but the design is very different. There appear to have been several gold coins of similar design to the one you showed (shield is different) from Spain at that time as well.
Cheers,
Pat
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
PatAR -
If you do Spanish coppers of the 18th century, please send me a private message (by double-clicking on my name at the left) so we can compare collections.
Thanks,
Bill
Edited by BillSnyder
12/18/2014 8:47 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
I don't know, Bill; these two coins seem more different than the same. Particularly in the number of fleurs-de-lys; the coin you link to having none, while yours has fifteen or more. Why should an Aragonese or Neapolitan coin say "France" so loudly?
Edited by philadelphian
12/19/2014 12:00 pm
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Pillar of the Community
778 Posts |
Good point! The previous owner had it marked "France", doubtless because of the many fleurs-de-lys. I came along and changed it to "Aragon/Sicily".
I'll do more looking through old reference material.
Might find the source of the (my) confusion.
Bill
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
Bill, I tried to PM as requested but it says I don't have enough posts to do that yet.
My main focus is coins of Queen Isabel II of Spain (mid 19th century), but I'm always interested in learning about other areas of numismatics as well.
Cheers,
Pat
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,865 |
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Posted 12/13/2014 11:27 pm
