PHILIP V

During the Spanish War of Succession in 1709, the minting process in Madrid underwent mechanization at the Plazuela de las Descalzas, employing the screw press for the new silver bust featuring a large wig. In a rare occurrence, the mill at the old mint was also used, with assayer Joseph García Caballero (J) overseeing the striking of the first and only round onza minted in the capital of the kingdom. This coin, dated 1710, is an exceedingly rare piece of which only four examples are known. It possesses a notable peculiarity: the coat of arms on the obverse mirrors the design of the piece of eight silver coins, lacking the traditional collar of the Golden Fleece around it, which was characteristic of gold coinage at that time. Its minting coincided with a particularly tumultuous period of the war: in the spring of that year, the supporters of the Habsburgs launched a formidable offensive, securing victories over Bourbon forces at Almenar (July) and Zaragoza (August). These successes allowed them to reclaim control of the Kingdom of Aragon and facilitated Archduke Charles of Austria’s second entry into Madrid on September 28th. The so-called Carlos III controlled the city for two months but had to leave due to the lack of support from the population, with Philip V re-entering his court on December 3.