Second Republic 10 Pesetas

Minted in the besieged Madrid mint during the Spanish Civil War, the 1937 10 Pesetas coin was one of the few silver issues the Republican government managed to produce before their defeat.

Its design, by sculptor Luis Marín, featured a forward-facing woman symbolizing the Republic on the obverse, with a wreath and the denomination on the reverse. The coin was struck on .835 fine silver planchets, likely sourced from existing reserves as metal grew scarce. We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty, possibly destroyed in the conflict.

Variations exist between 1937 and 1938 issues, with the latter showing subtle die differences, but both reflect the government's attempt to maintain normalcy. As for its use, it circulated as legal tender in Republican territories, though its silver value probably tempted more than a few to pocket it instead of spending. A small irony for a coin born in turmoil.