You can hold a piece of Spanish history in your hand with the 1878 Spanish 5 pesetas silver crown coin of Alfonso XII. Alfonso was born in 1857 but left Spain in 1868 with his mother, Queen Isabella II, because of the Spanish Revolution. Spain’s Queen Isabella II abdicated in Alfonso’s favor in 1870, and after a coup d’etat, the monarchy was restored in 1875, leaving Alfonso XII to reign as king until his death in 1885 from tuberculosis. Contrary to what his name may suggest, Alfonso XII was, in fact, the first Alfonso to be crowned the king of Spain. He was styled as XII because the Spanish Crown is regarded as continuous with the eleven kings of Leon and Castile who were also named Alfonso. Under Alfonso’s reign, there were three different types of silver 5 pesetas crowns that were issued throughout Spain. On the silver coin’s obverse is a left facing bust of Spain’s King Alfonso XII. This coin is the king’s second portrait of the three types of portraits featured on Spain’s 5 pesetas coinage. Surrounding the king’s head on the obverse is the lettering “Alfonso XII Por La G De Dios” and the year of the coin’s mintage, 1878. On the coin’s reverse are crowned arms and pillars with the value below. These items comprise the coat of arms of Spain: a quartered shield surmounted by a large crown that is flanked by two columns with a scrolled ribbon bearing the motto “Plus Ultra.” The coin’s lettering reads, “Rey Const. De Espana plus Ultra D E 5 Pesetas M.” The single letters refer to mint officials’ names as well as the mint mark. Spanish engraver Gregorio Sellan engraved both the obverse and reverse sides of these silver coins. Spain used a unique coin dating system.There are two dates on each silver coin. The larger date denotes the year of authorization, and the smaller date is the date of the striking. On the edge of the coin are 27 fleur de lis designs. The Spanish 5 pesetas coin minted in 1878 is made of silver and has a weight of 25g. It is 377mm in diameter. The pesetas was introduced to Spain’s coinage in 1869 after the country joined the Latin Monetary Union in 1868. Spain’s pesetas became a subdivision of the peso, and one peso duro was equivalent in value to five pesetas in the denomination. The pesetas was equal in weight to 4.5 grams of silver, or the value of a small measurement of gold. The monetary union broke up following the political turbulence of World War I. Spain’s pesetas were replaced by the Euro in 2002. One euro had the value of 166.386 pesetas. Coin collectors can love this 1878 5 pesetas coin. In addition to great historical value, the coin can have intrinsic value due to its precious metal composition. The 1878 Spain 5 pesetas piece can be a true collectable and can complete your European, 17th ventury, monarchy, or silver coin collection. The 5 pesetas coin can reflect a different time in history that can be reimagined.