Patterns from Italy and Spain

[chrisild]

An interesting way to represent the date. Haven't seen that before.

That was something that apparently confused lots of people outside Spain - and probably elderly numismatists in Spain (with bad eyesight) as well. Until 1981 or '82, the Spanish mint used a double date system: The large and easily readable year was the authorization date so to say, the small one (in two or four digits) was the production date. About 40 years ago, they did away with that, and used a "regular" date and a mintmark instead ...

Christian

[chrisild]

Spain, 50 pesetas, 1987.

That design was actually used for the 500 pesetas coin, minted between 1987 and 2001.

Edit – Errm, yeah (reply #34). 

Christian

[<k>]

It's true, but not in that metal, and certainly not with 'PRUEBA' (trial) on the reverse.