Spanien. Fernando VII.. 2 Reales 1812 Cadiz CI

Global Money Week – “From Barter to Banknotes - Global Empires, Global Currencies.

This silver 2 Reales, minted in Cadiz (CI) in 1812, is one of the most historically charged pieces of Spanish numismatics. It was struck during the Peninsular War while the city of Cadiz stood as the last bastion of Spanish resistance against Napoleon's troops. This coin was minted in the same year and city where the first Spanish Constitution ("La Pepa") was proclaimed, marking the birth of modern liberalism in Spain. While the portrait depicts Ferdinand VII (then "The Desired"), the coin itself is a symbol of resilience and the struggle for national sovereignty. It represents a moment where money was not just a medium of exchange, but a defiant statement of legitimacy and continuity for a nation under siege.

2 Reales 1812 Cadiz CI Fernando VII 6,05g

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This lot is part of the thematic auction “From Barter to Banknotes”, organised in celebration of Global Money Week (16–22 March). Global Money Week is an international initiative coordinated by the OECD that promotes financial education and helps young people better understand money, savings, and economic systems.

Through this curated selection of objects - from early trade items and proto-currencies to historic coins and modern banknotes - we explore the fascinating evolution of money and the many forms it has taken across cultures and centuries.