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>> Ancient Spanish Coins - #Mexico-30195
1556-1598 Spanish COB
Coin Type :SPANISH COB Date : CA. 1556-1598
Denomination :ONE REAL Assayer :O
Ruler :PHILIP II Metal :SILVER
Mint :MEXICO CITY Country :MEXICO
Certificate Number : 30195
PHILIP II - 1556-1598
Obverse: Crowned Hapsburg shield, date to right; surrounded by legend.
Reverse: Lions and castles quartered with legend around.
The only son of Charles I and Isabella of Portugal, Philip II presided over Spain at the zenith of its golden century. He was married to Maria of Portugal, Mary I of England, Elizabeth of France, and Anna, daughter of Maximilian II.
Reckless overspending on war and diplomatic enterprise led to rampant inflation and the beginning of the country’s decline. The flood of cob coinage arriving from the colonial mints was exiting Spain as rapidly as the plate fleets delivered it. It was he who suffered the crushing humiliation of losing Spain’s "invincible" armada to England’s queen, Elizabeth.
With the exception of the half real, the coins of Philip II bear an obverse crowned shield of the House of Hapsburg. The half real has the word Philippus in monogram. Coinage of this reign was issued in denominations of 8, 4, 2, 1, ½ and ¼ reales. Most cobs of this period were somewhat crude but a few circular pieces are known. Due to the roughness and irregularity of planchet circumference, it is easy to see why legends were missing and obverse and reverse impressions unreadable. The only coin mark of importance to Spanish authority was the assayer initials, which guaranteed the fineness of the bullion.
Philip II coins of New Spain are undated. Dated issues are known from 1588 in Old World mints.
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