CARLOS III - 1759-1788

Obverse: CAR.III.D.G.HISP.RT.IND.R. around crowned arms of the House of Bourbon.
Reverse: Crowned globes sided by the Pillars of Hercules, legend, mint, assayer and date around.

First son of Philip V and his second wife, Elizabeth Farnes of Parma, Carlos III was considered the greatest of the Spanish Bourbons. Though his foreign policy could not be considered a success, internal reforms he directed were extremely beneficial to Spain. He exiled the Jesuits and stripped the Inquisition of its last vestige of power.

During his reign the pillar or two-world type coinage was discontinued in favor of the new bust type coinage. The crowned arms of Spain are the same on both types. Silver coinage was struck in denominations of 8, 4, 2, 1, ½ and ¼ reales and gold coins in denominations of 8, 4, 2, 1, and ½ escudos.