This series has had us talking about and learning about some incredible women. Whether allegorical or real, their impact on the world, history, and ultimately numismatics has been undeniable. We continue the series today with a woman not only of her time, but one who partook in a royal first for the ages. With help from author Ron Guth, we will look closer at her reign and the influence she had for years afterwards.
#35 – Queen Isabella II
Born in 1830 in Madrid, Isabella was the daughter of King Ferdinand VIII and his fourth wife, Maria Cristina. While he was hoping to produce an heir, Maria only had daughters, which put Carlos, Ferdinand’s younger brother, next in line for the throne. In 1830, however, all of that changed when the king himself changed the law to allow sons or daughters to succeed him. With this change, Isabella would become queen at the age of just three when her father died in 1833. Her mother, Maria, acted as regent. Carlos would challenge the succession of Isabella and would ultimately go to war with the crown. The country of Spain mostly remained loyal to Isabella while defending her throne.
In 1834, Isabella was first shown on coinage as a young woman. However, it was a ploy to shy away from the fact that the country was being “run” by a four-year-old at the time. As time went on, the coins would represent chapters in her young life throughout the 34 years of her reign. On the other hand, a Spanish territory loyal to Carlos issued coins in 1840 that were known as “Pretender Coinage.” The territory, Catalonia, recognized Carlos as the king of Spain.
Isabella would be featured on coins from 1834 to 1868 when she was forced into exile and remained in France for the rest of her life. She appears on coinage like the copper five centimos, the silver one real, the silver 20-real, and the 2-escudo coins. She also appeared on several coins from the Philippines from 1864-1868.
According to Guth, collecting coins featuring Isabella is easy. He explains that coins are readily available and rather inexpensive.