Description:
Spanish bronze ten centimos, 1878
Diameter 30mm
The obverse features the bust of Alfonso XII (1874 - 1885) and the inscription 'ALFONSO XII POR LA GRACIA DE DIOS', 'Alfonso XII By the Grace of God'. The date below is flanked by two eight pointed stars which represent the mint of Barcelona. The reverse features the Spanish Royal Coat of Arms within a wreath with the initials 'OM' underneath, representing the mint of Oeschger Mesdach & Co. The coat of arms is divided into four parts and bears a central oval escutcheon. 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. Between the third and fourth quarters is a pomegranate representing Granada. The oval escutcheon bears three fleur-de-lys representing Bourbon-Anjou. The inscription reads 'REY CONST.L DE ESPANA', 'Constitutional King of Spain', and the denomination is below flanked by two eight pointed stars.