>> Ancient Spanish Coins - #Mexico-34078
1665-1700 Spanish COB
Coin Type: SPANISH COB Date: 1665 - 1700
Denomination: HALF REAL Assayer: NV
Ruler: CARLOS II Metal: SILVER
Mint: MEXICO CITY Framing: 14 KT TURTLE BRACELET
Country: MEXICO Certificate Number: 34078
CARLOS II - 1665 - 1700
Obverse: Monogram of Carlos II
Reverse: Cross of Jerusalem with lions and castles quartered.
At the age of four, Carlos II, byname Carlos the Mad, the last child of Philip IV and Maria Anna of Austria, inherited the Spanish Throne. Carlos reign opened with a ten year regency under the queen mother. At this time the government was preoccupied with combating the ambitions of the French king Louis XIV in the low countries and with the intrigues at court involving the queen and her favorites.
During this period and the following years till Carlos died in 1700, Spain’s state of affairs continued to worsen. Despite heavy taxation and the frequent arrival of plate fleets the treasury was bankrupt. Manufacturing had all but ceased, trade was in the hands of foreigners and corruption ruled public offices at home and abroad.
When it became apparent Carlos would not father any children he made known in his will that he favored Philip, the grandson of Louis XIV of France, thereby ending the line of Spanish Hapsburgs.
Upon his death, the war of the Spanish Succession led to the dismembering of Spain’s European possessions. |
