Spain has, of course, seen the routine use of their familiar peseta and the now current euro, but in their time they have also seen use of countless other currencies, which have much greater store than they do today, mostly because they are so old and because of their historical value.
The field of Spanish numismatics encompasses a wide variety of coins, beyond the familiar peseta or euro of today. In Spain, several kinds of currency have arisen and disappeared during the course of several centuries.
Brief history of coins in Spain
Several Spanish coins are already obsolete since the introduction of the euro in 2002. Even older coins than the peseta were in use before, and some of them are hundreds of years old.
Transformed into genuine historical treasures from the fact that they’ve been preserved over time, these coins are ample evidence of the history of ancient Greece. Once these relics, now prized possessions found in museums and collected by relic lovers.
Among those are an ancient coin, which Spanish collectors especially set their sights on. It is one of the rarest coins of Spain, of which there are just eight known examples in existence. We estimate that its current value is around 2 million euros, which makes this a unique numerical gem.
- Historical significance: These coins give a glimpse of Spain’s past.
- Collector’s item: Rarity and their history make them highly desirable.
- Monetary value: Some coins are worth millions because they are scarce.
Spanish numismatics is a fascinating ride through history and the evolution of currency for those who enjoy the tale of a time long gone through metal.
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You didn’t know that Spanish homes are estimated to contain over 1.5 billion euros worth of the old peseta currency? This means a coin’s market price only gets the coin part of the way there in terms of value in the world of numismatics, where a coin’s value isn’t defined solely by its market price. Coins become rarer, the fewer the coins, the higher the value, as these become rare relics cherished by collectors.
The Fascinating Tale of the Centen Segoviano
The Centen Segoviano is one of these much sought-after treasures in the numismatic world, as it is so rare. This coin first appears during the reign of Philip III (1609) and soon thereafter returns in the 1623 and 1633 series. It is prized because it has only eight known emissions and is a highly coveted item among collectors.
The Centén Segoviano: Spain’s Rare Coin Worth 2 Million Euros
There is a Centén Segoviano from about 71 millimeters of diameter, about 340 grams in weight, a remarkable coin. One of the features of its design is its Cross of Jerusalem and its coat of arms of the Spanish Monarchy, evocative of the splendor of the Spanish Empire under Philip III.
The coin also inscribes ‘Phillipus III Dei Gratia’ (Philip III by the grace of God), thus reminding people that monarchs of that era were, in fact, by divine power.
Scientific research reveals that these coins were not intended to be used every day. Instead, these were given as status symbols, conferred upon a few members of the nobility and other important people at court by sovereigns.
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The Extraordinary Value of Prestige Coins
Their original value was the equivalent of a hundred escudos (shield in English) and with the passage of years, it’s been skyrocketing. Now it’s estimated to be two million euros.
One of these coins sold for 800,000 euros in 2009, when the Barcelona-based ‘Aure y Calicó’ raised an arm and a leg for it. Furthermore, a Swiss collector once bid 944,000 euros for a piece of this great currency at another auction.
A Coveted Piece Among Collectors
Some of these coins contain several examples and are in the hands of private collectors, while others are being preserved in the Museum Casa de la Moneda and the National Archaeological Museum of Spain. Numismatists want these coins and they are rare and rich with history.
FAQs
Q. What is the Centen Segoviano and why is it significant?
A. The Centen Segoviano is one of Spain’s rarest coins and first appeared under Philip III in 1609. It is significant purely for its historical value, being a very rare example with only eight known examples being in existence, making it a sought-after item for collectors.
Q. How much is the Centen Segoviano worth?
A. According to specialists, the Centen Segoviano is worth about 2 million euros because it is a rare and important artifact. The value of it was originally that of a hundred escudos but its value in the market has greatly increased.
Q. Where can I find examples of the Centen Segoviano?
A. The Centen Segoviano is an example of examples that can be found with private collectors and museums, including the Casa de la Moneda Museum and the National Archaeological Museum of Spain.
Q. What features distinguish the Centen Segoviano?
A. This Centen Segoviano features a large size, around 71 millimeters in diameter and almost 340 grams in weight. In full, it carries the Cross of Jerusalem and the coat of arms of the Spanish Monarchy, together with the inscription ‘Phillipus III Dei Gratia’ (Philip III by the grace of God).
Q. How does the rarity of the Centen Segoviano affect its value?
A. The Centen Segoviano is rare and greatly increases the value of the coin because in numismatics a coin’s value isn’t just about its market price, but a coin’s rarity. The more coins are in existence, the less there will be in demand and therefore of value to collectors.