Kingdom of Spain, Alfonso XII, 25 Pesetas 1878

After centuries of monetary chaos, Spain got a uniform currency in 1868: the peseta at 100 centimos. Parallel to the introduction of the peseta as national currency went the decimalization of the Spanish money system. On that basis, Spain had standardized coins and banknotes until the outbreak of the civil war in 1936. The obverse of the coins always bore the portrait of the respective king or queen. Here it is the young King Alfonso XII (1874-1885). The inscription is ALFONSO XII POR LA G. DE DIOS, Alfonso XII for the grace of God. The reverse shows the Spanish shield wit the legend REY CONSTL DE ESPAÑA, Constitutional King of Spain, and the value of 25 PESETAS. The letter M stands for the mint of Madrid and the initials D. E for the mint master.