Description:
Spanish copper ten centimos, 1870
Diameter 29mm
The obverse features a lion standing with its front paws resting on a shield which bears the Spanish Royal Coat of Arms. This consists of an oval shield divided into four parts representing the Kingdoms of Castile (first quarter), Leon (second quarter), Catalonia (third quarter) and Navarre (fourth quarter). There is also a pomegranate representing Granada between the third and fourth quarters. Below is the mintmark 'OM' for Oeschger Mesdach & Co. Both the Coat of Arms and mintmark appear within a beaded ring. Around the outside the denomination is given in the lower half and the inscription 'DIEZ PIEZAS EN KILOG', 'One hundred pieces per kilogram', is around the top half. The two outer inscriptions are divided by two eight-pointed stars representing the Barcelona mint. The reverse features a classically robed female figure seated on rocks within a central beaded ring. Her left arm is extended towards the sea and in her right hand she holds an olive branch by her side. The date is below and the inscription 'DIEZ GRAMOS', '10 grams', is around the top.