Cob coins
Tthe silver real formed the foundation of the Spanish monetary system, with eight reales equalling one silver peso. Four-reales pieces represented half a peso and circulated extensively within Spain and through the rapidly expanding international trading network of the Spanish Empire. Coins of this irregular, hand-struck form are commonly described by collectors as Spanish cob coins or macuquinas.
Philip II ruled one of the most extensive empires of the 16th century. Following his accession to the Portuguese throne in 1580, the Portuguese arms were incorporated into the royal shield, as visible on this coin. During his reign, Spanish silver coinage became internationally recognised and helped establish the monetary tradition from which the famous Spanish “piece of eight” developed.
Each cob coin was individually struck by hand between engraved dies. Unlike later machine-made coins, no attempt was made to produce a perfectly round and uniformly centred flan. Irregular shapes, uneven edges, variations in thickness and partially missing legends are therefore characteristic features of genuine Spanish cob coinage, making every surviving example unique.
PHILIP II or FELIPE II (1527-1598), King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily and the Spanish Netherlands.
He succeeded his father Emperor Charles V (Rey Carlos I de España) who abdicated in 1556.
The reign of Philip is noted for its territorial expansion, religious zeal, and struggles against Protestant Reformation and the Ottoman Empire. Philip was a strong Catholic who tried to stop the spread of Protestantism in Europe, especially in the Netherlands, where it led to the Eighty Years' War.
In 1554 he married the English Queen Mary who died in 1558. In 1588 he launched the failed Spanish Armada against England.
Under Philip II, Spain reached the peak of its power. Despite his strong leadership and the great quantities of gold and silver from the Americas, he never succeeded in suppressing Protestantism or defeating the Dutch rebellion. During his reign Spain's wealth decreased due to constant wars and mismanagement, weakening the country in the long run.
