Carlos III 4 Maravedis

The Carlos III 4 Maravedis was struck using a bronze alloy that incorporated recycled copper from older, debased coins, reflecting Spain's mid-18th-century push for monetary stability.

This reform under Carlos III aimed to standardize low-denomination currency, which had long suffered from inconsistent weights and purity. The coins featured a simple design: the king's bust on one side, a coat of arms on the other, with dates ranging from 1759 to 1788. Mintage figures vary by year, but records for many are incomplete, lost in archival fires or bureaucratic neglect.

While not the rarest piece, its edge often shows signs of wear from everyday use in markets and trade. That makes sense; it was the pocket change of the era.

Exact production numbers for certain mints remain unclear, as colonial disruptions affected supply chains. Still, handling one today reminds you of the era's economic grit.