Description:
Spanish copper 5 centimos, 1870
Diameter 25mm
The obverse features a lion rampant regardant with its front paws resting on an oval shield. The shield bears the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Spain. The coat of arms is divided into four parts, the first quarter bears the castle of Castile, the second the lion rampant of Leon, the third bears the vertical stripes of Catalonia and the fourth the linked chains of Navarre. The entre en point between the bottom two quarters bears the pomegranate of Granada. The lion and shield appear within a central beaded ring. Above are the initials 'OM' for the mint of Oeschger Mesdach & Co. The inscription around the outside reads 'DOS CIENTAS PIEZAS EN KILOG/ CINCO CENTIMOS', Spanish meaning 'Two hundred pieces per kilogram/ five centimos'. This is divided by two eight-pointed stars which represent the Barcelona mint. The reverse features a classically robed female figure seated on rocks and facing right. Her left arm is extended out towards the sea. She has an olive branch in her right hand. The figure appears within a central beaded ring. There is a name below, possibly that of the designer or engraver. The inscription around the outside reads 'CINCO GRAMOS', meaning 'Five grams', and the date is below.