Lot #560: Spain 1879 Five Centimos Coin - Alfonso XII - Coat of Arms" - ("Rey Constitucional de España") ("Oeschger Mesdach & Co.")

Obverse: Features the young head of Alfonso XII facing right. The inscription reads ALFONSO XII POR LA G. DE DIOS ("Alfonso XII, by the Grace of God....") with the date 1879 at the bottom. Reverse: Features the Crowned Coat of Arms of Spain within Wreath. The denomination CINCO CENTIMOS ("Five Centimos") is inscribed around the rim above, with the national motto REY CONSTL. DE ESPAÑA ("Rey Constitucional de España") ("....Constitutional King of Spain", continuing the inscription from the Obverse) inscribed around the rim below. The Mintmark "OM" is visible below the Coat of Arms; it stands for "Oeschger Mesdach & Co.", a French firm that minted coins out of Strasbourg, France. The 1879 Spanish Five Centimos coin is a classic example of the "Alfonso XII" bronze series. After the short-lived First Republic, Alfonso XII was restored to the throne. Struck during the Restoration period, this coin served as a workhorse of daily commerce in a Spain that was seeking stability after years of civil unrest and political change. This coinage was part of a major effort to standardize the Spanish monetary system under the decimal Peseta, which had been introduced in 1868. Dimensions: Bronze (95% Copper, 4% Tin, 1% Zinc). 25 mm. 5 g. Pickup category timeslot {A}