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Item Description
This item is part of a Special Collection
(see end of listing for more information)
1853B 10 reales
Spain
Queen Isabel II
Barcelona mint
obv: Looped Braid Head Right
rev: Crowned Arms flanked by Pillars of Hercules
The silver and gold coins of this period are characterized by the Looped Braid Head Right type on the obverse. As with the designs of the Kingdom period the engraver adapted the queen's appearance and hairstyle for the coins. The queen often wore a looped braid hairstyle which was depicted in various forms on the decimal coins from this point onward.
This particular coin is well struck with dark toning at edges and subdued luster in those areas. The remaining surfaces are lustrous and devices are sharp with relatively few marks.
PCGS MS62
Among the finest known examples.
Top Pop 1/0 at PCGS (none graded higher)
Pop 0/0 at NGC (none graded this high)
scarce in circulated grades,
very rare in uncirculated grades
(based on Rarity estimates in The Coins of Queen Isabel II)
AR 0.900 fine silver 13.15g 29mm 12h Edge:
raised letters: LEY. | PATRIA. | REY. ⚜ | ⚜ ⚜
8 pointed stars flanking denomination identifies Barcelona mint issue
O’Connor p.116 10R-1853B
ex O’Connor Collection
During this period, Spain was in the process of adopting the metric system for weights and measures. It was hoped that such a system would facilitate trade and contribute to overall economic prosperity in Spain. The transition to decimal coinage was intended to reduce complexity of everyday commerce and similarly contribute to Spain's prosperity.
Perhaps the most influential factor in transitioning to a decimal coinage was the fact that many of the coins in use in Spain at this time were French francs which were already a decimal coinage. Spain's new system appears to have been not so much an abrupt departure from eons of Spanish tradition as it was a simple adoption of the current method of exchange into a Spanish form. The people of Spain logically desired, and their economy desperately needed, a coinage system to mimic and combat the dominance of French coinage.
The royal decree of 15 April 1848 introduced Spain's first decimal coinage. Under this system reales de vellón were the sole unit of account. Gold coins would be issued in a 100 reales denomination while silver coins continued largely as before except for modifications to their weight and purity in an attempt to combat their export. The maravedís were abandoned and décimas de real (tenths of a real) introduced as the copper coinage. The designs of all coins were revised to reflect the change in the coinage system.
Also, beginning in 1850 the assayers’ initials were no longer placed on coins and mint of manufacture would henceforth be indicated on silver and gold coins by stars which appeared at either side of the denomination. Coins minted at Madrid displayed a six pointed star, Seville a seven pointed star, and Barcelona an eight pointed star. Copper coins continued to use the old style mintmarks until the 3rd Decimal period when they also began to employ stars.
The coins of the 1st Decimal period (1848-1853) include:
Copper: 1/2, 1, 2, and 5 décimas de real - Referred to as medio décima, décima, doble décima, and medio real respectively.
Silver: 1, 2, 4, 10, 20 reales
Gold: 100 reales
This item is part of a Special Collection we are offering:
The author of the book The Coins of Queen Isabel II of Spain is selling their collection (the O’Connor Collection).
This collection of rare and exceptional coins and medals of Queen Isabel II of Spain and the Philippines and other coins and medals featuring real and mythological women will be offered by Aurora Rarities LLC through our ebay store beginning July 2022. This collection will be offered in multiple phases:
• Medals of Queen Isabel II 1833-1868 [ONLINE NOW]
• Other Exceptional Medals featuring Real & Mythological Women [ONLINE NOW]
• Kingdom (Pre-Decimal) Coins of Queen Isabel II 1833-1848 [ONLINE NOW]
• 1st Decimal Coins of Queen Isabel II 1848-1853 [ONLINE NOW]
• 2nd Decimal Coins of Queen Isabel II 1854-1864 [ONLINE NOW]
• 3rd Decimal Coins of Queen Isabel II 1854-1864 [ONLINE NOW]
• Philippine Coins of Queen Isabel II 1861-1868 [ONLINE NOW]
• Coins of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands [ONLINE NOW]
Many of these pieces are of such exceptional rarity and quality as to be once in a lifetime opportunities.
You will receive the exact lot shown in the photos.
Please scroll down to view images of the item.
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Additional details may be found below and in the payment, shipping, and returns sections of this auction.
Guarantee of Authenticity
Numismatics is a wonderful hobby inhabited primarily by knowledgeable and helpful people who enjoy the hobby as much as you and I do. However, in recent years forgers have made the hobby, especially online, something of a minefield. Aurora Rarities LLC takes significant precautions, aided by decades of experience, to ensure that our inventory contains only authentic items. Aurora Rarities LLC offers a lifetime guarantee that every item we sell is authentic as described. Should any item that we sold as authentic be deemed not authentic by an Authenticator (defined as NGC, PCGS, or other authentication service designated by Aurora Rarities LLC as an authoritative expert) simply submit to us the document from the Authenticator which identifies the item as "counterfeit", "forgery", or "not genuine" along with the Aurora Rarities LLC receipt (or receipt provided by ebay when you ordered) and the item in question. Upon confirmation of these items we will refund 100% of the original purchase price to the original purchaser. For items we sell which are already certified by an Authenticator, that company's guarantee of authenticity applies and they will honor their guarantee directly.
Shipping
This lot will be shipped within the USA via USPS and price stated in the Shipping section of this listing. The indicated method is the only shipping method available for this lot. Some listings may require signature on delivery.
We work hard to ensure your order is well packed and promptly shipped. Once shipped, it typically takes 5 business days to be delivered. However, due to challenges faced by USPS beyond our control, some shipments may take as much as 20 days to arrive. If you have not received your order after 21 days please notify me promptly and I will work with you to resolve it.
All items subject to prior sale.
In accordance with ebay policy, buyer’s use of a mail forwarding service is entirely at buyer’s risk. No claim for lost shipment will be honored by seller or ebay if buyer uses mail forwarding service. We reserve the right to modify or refuse service or cancel orders for security or business related reasons. Rarity and census report information is as of the date of the original listing and is subject to change without notice.
