Spain, Ferdinand II & Isabella I, Blanca Coin – 1497 to 1566 CE – Voyages of Colombus Clearance Low Pice

These coins were minted during and shortly after the reigns of King Ferdinand II of Castile and Queen Isabella I of Argon, collectively known as the Catholic Monarchs. Best remembered today as the sponsors of Christopher Columbus and his voyage across the Atlantic in 1492, the marriage of the two monarchs unified Spain into one defacto kingdom, a move that would initiate its transformation into a global empire.

Ferdinand and Isabella, who secretly wed as teenagers in 1469, sought to unify Spain under the banner of Catholicism. Their reign solidified the merging of Aragón and Castile houses, with Castile often overshadowing its partner due to its larger expanse. Despite this, both kingdoms retained their unique laws and customs. Aiming for religious homogeneity, the couple enacted strict and controversial policies, including the expulsion of the Jewish community.

The voyages of Christopher Columbus were actually funded in part by religious conquests as well. A key accomplishment under the Catholic Monarchs was the conquest of the Kingdom of Granada in 1492, the final Muslim stronghold in Spain. Through the Capitulation of Santa Fe, they awarded Columbus the esteemed title of Admiral of the Sea, granting him a sizeable share of the riches from his western voyages.

These coins are known as blancas in Spanish, or “white coins.” This is due to the small amount of silver they contain, which originally caused them to be white in color before oxidization. They feature the crowned “Y” monogram of Isabella I of Castile on the obverse side and the crowned “F” monogram of Ferdinand V of Aragon on the reverse.

Each includes a Certificate of Authenticity.