Denomination: 4 Maravedis

Mint: Burgos, Spain

Material: Copper

Reign: Philip II

Date: Not visible

Assayer:  Not Visible

Description: Obverse:  Crowned castle with Roman numerals for the denomination (VIII) indicating the coins value.  Reverse:  A rampant Lion along with the date and legend HISPANIARVM REX "King of Spain".  Counter Stamped crown mark of 1641.

History: This Spanish copper coin was minted in Segovia, Spain during the reign of King Philip III. From the House of Habsburg, Philip ruled during the “Golden age of Spain”, with territories and colonies in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceana. With the discoveries of untold riches that were mined in the Americas, the Spanish, and their mighty galleon fleets, were the premier supplier of gold and silver for the world.  This vastly increased the shipping trade and made many merchants wealthy, both in Spain and in the Colonies.

However, even the smallest silver 1 Reales coins were too large for most common transactions such as buying food or clothing. So, the Spanish minted the copper Maravedis in denominations of 8, 4, 2, and 1. They were valued at 34 maravedis equal to one silver Reales. A typical sailor was paid around 1,000 maravedis per month. Spanish coins that circulated in the age are all unique and each is a one-of-a-kind piece of history.

RM93