Global Money Week – “From Barter to Banknotes - Global Empires, Global Currencies. This silver 2 Reales, minted in Madrid (M) in 1788, features the portrait of King Charles III, the "Enlightened Despot." Weighing 5.80 g, this denomination was a fundamental component of the Spanish monetary system, which at the time was the most influential in the world. Often referred to as "pistareens" in the American colonies, these coins were the precursor to the modern global economy, as Spanish silver served as the first truly universal currency. The 1788 issue is particularly significant as it marks the final year of Charles III's reign, representing the peak of the Spanish Empire's minting excellence and its role in facilitating international trade across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 2 Reales 1807 Madrid AI Peso 5,91g Carlos IIII ----- 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.