ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · Francesco Bini · CC BY-SA 4.0
Philip II 4 Reales
Spain
1556–1598
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 7 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$31.87
Based on Silver spot price ($78.87/oz) · 93.1% purity · 13.5g
Updated 3:56 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Spain |
| Years Minted | 1556–1598 |
| Composition | Silver (.931 fine) |
| Weight | 13.5 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Features a cross with lions and castles in the quarters.
Reverse
Depicts the Spanish coat of arms surrounded by the Pillars of Hercules.
History & Notable Facts
The 4 Reales coin under Philip II was struck from silver extracted from the Potosí mines in Bolivia, fueling Spain's imperial ambitions across the globe.
That silver, hauled over oceans and mountains, turned these coins into unintended currency for smugglers and settlers alike. Mintage figures vary wildly in old records, with some years possibly reaching hundreds of thousands, though exact numbers burned up in the 1838 archive fire.
Design-wise, the coin featured a simple cross and the king's pillars on its faces, hammered out on uneven planchets that gave each piece a rugged character. It's no surprise they circulated from Manila to Mexico.
Some specimens show crude countermarks from colonial officials, a testament to their widespread mistrust. As for myths about hidden treasures, I've seen enough fakes to know most are just wishful thinking.
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