W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent

Descriptive Outline of the Coinages of E2irope 515
1
account. In the course of the few years (iSio-13) which
witnessed this divided authority, the accumulation of Franco-
Spanish money, or of special issues, was probably considerable
;
and the rescllado of 1821 may represent a certain
proportion
of it
melted down and recoined.
Isabel II.: 4 reales,
Isabel II.: 3
cuartos for Catalufia, 1838.
A cabinet dedicated to Spanish coins only, not excluding
those struck by the house of Arragon for Sicily and by
Charles V. and his immediate successors for the Two Sicilies,
would form a serious and costly enterprise, and would comprehend
an enormous body of material, especially if the
owner elected to admit the Oriental or Arab section, and to
make room for the vast stores which remain of the coinages
of the various Mohammedan dynasties in gold, silver, and
copper produced either on Spanish or African soil. The
task is of course prodigiously simplified where the eclectic or
representative plan can be adopted, and the choice is restricted
to pieces remarkable for their typical interest,
historical importance, beauty of style, or rarity ;
and on
such classes
that basis we conclude our sketch by scheduling or examples as appear to be most essential and most
attractive :
The very early dated specimens of the Mohammedan coinage, with
the year of the Indiction or Hegira, including those struck in
the Alhambra.
The earlier money (dinheri and cornadt) of Castile and Leon, and
of Arragon, before the union.
The gold coins of Peter the Cruel and other rulers both of Castile
and Leon and of Arragon, fourteenth century.
1
See Catalogue of Mints, vv. " Barcelona" and " Franco-Spanish Mints " ;
and Catalogue of Denom., v. "Quarto."