Friday, 6 August 2021

1968) Battle of Lepanto, Spain: 450th Anniversary of decisive Battle (1571-2021): Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Real Casa de la Moneda has brought out two new silver Proof with colour coins marking the Anniversary of one of the most decisive naval battles in history: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.07.2021:

1968) Battle of Lepanto, Spain: 450th Anniversary of decisive Battle (1571-2021): Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Real Casa de la Moneda has brought out two new silver Proof with colour coins marking the Anniversary of one of the most decisive naval battles in history: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.07.2021:

The Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Real Casa de la Moneda has brought out two new silver Proof with Colour Coins marking the 450th anniversary (1570-2021) of one of the most decisive naval battles to have been fought towards the end of the Renaissance. 

The conflict saw engagement in the Mediterranean between forces loyal to the Pope and Catholic Europe against the encroaching Ottoman forces intent on acquiring more territory in Europe. 

The initiator of this particular conflict was the Ottoman Empire’s Selim II, and his invasion of Cyprus in September 1570 — then the protectorate of Venice.

With the threat of further European territory coming under the rule of the Ottomans, and especially after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, a constant concern for Western Europe lay to the East unless military strength and unity could deter further aggression.

After Selim II invaded Cyprus, Pope Pius V convinced the powers of Venice, France, and the Holy Roman Empire to join forces as "The Holy League". 

Pius V also persuaded King Philip II and Spain to join the offensive and defensive alliance with Don Juan de Austria, Philip’s younger half-brother, as commander-in-chief. 

Also commanding part of the Spanish fleet was Álvaro de Bazán, First Marquess of Santa Cruz, a Spanish admiral who had never been defeated in battle during his long naval career.

 The combined fleets assembled at Messina in Sicily and sailed in September 1571 for Corfu. It was there where the fleet learned that Famagusta had fallen and that Selim II’s fleet was in the Gulf of Patraikos, near Lepanto, present-day Návpaktos in Greece.

On the 07.10.1571, more than 400 galleys and almost 200,000 men fought in a battle in the Ionian Sea, in the south of Greece, between the Ottoman navy and a coalition of Catholic Christian states which included 60,000 men, 40,000 sailors and oarsmen, 20,000 soldiers, 206 galleys, and 6 galleasses. 

Despite the fact the opposing side was greater in terms of numbers, the Holy League was better equipped, motivated, and trained, resulting in a decisive victory for the united European forces. The battle was remarkable as it was the last and greatest engagement with oar-propelled vessels 

The Battle of Lepanto was the last and largest naval battle fought by rowing galleys/oar propelled vessels, which took place in the Gulf of Patras, on the western coast of Greece, and takes its name from the port of Lepanto and was the first great victory over an Ottoman Turkish fleet, and the first great victory over an Ottoman Turkish fleet.

News of the victory reached Pius V on the 22.10.1571, but before the Holy League alliance was able to cement a permanent defence against further Ottoman encroachment on Europe, he died in May 1572. 

The result of this was the break-up of the Holy League and Venice ultimately ceding Cyprus over to the Ottomans.

 Notwithstanding the decisive victory of "The Holy League", the battle had little lasting impact on Ottoman expansion, but it exerted a great effect on European morale by lessening Ottoman confidence and permanently affecting their military superiority in Eastern Europe.

 The battle is still remembered and celebrated as the first significant victory for a Christian naval force over an Ottoman Turkish fleet and was the climax of the age of galley warfare in the Mediterranean.

The Commemorative Coins:

On the Obverse of the 50 Euro Silver Coin,(€50), at the top, is reproduced a portrait of Don Juan de Austria (made by Alonso Sanchez Coello, preserved in the Monastery of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid), the head of the portrait of Philip II, (made by Titian, which is preserved in the Museo Nacional del Prado, in Madrid) and on the left side is reproduced the portrait of Álvaro de Bazán y Guzmán, (work of Rafael Tegeo that is preserved in the Naval Museum, in Madrid), who was commander of the Spanish vessels. The images are based on historic paintings.

Between both commanders are six pikes, or pole spear-like weapons expertly used by Spanish troops.

Their names are spelt in Spanish - "ALVARO DE BAZAN", "JUAN DE AUSTRIA" and "FILIPE II".

On the Reverse of the 50 Euro Silver Coin (€50 - Cincuentin) , there is a detail of the lithograph of the work Naval Battle of Lepanto by Vicente Urrabieta, from the National Library of Spain. This face depicts a scene from the battle (based on a lithography made by Vicente Urrabieta), and is displayed at the National Library in Madrid.
On the Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coin (€10 - Eight Reales) is depicted a colour an image of the galley commanded by Juan de Austria, called the "GALERA REAL" (“The Royal Galley”), and was the flagship of the Holy League. 

This galley was built in the shipyards of Barcelona in 1568 and it was the largest galley of its time.

Above the name of the galley is the text "BATALLA DE LEPANTO," with the commemorative years "1571" and "2021" placed to the right of the ship. 

The denomination of "10 EURO" is shown below the image. 

The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coin (€10 - Eight Reales) includes an effigy of King Felipe VI with the year of issue "2021" placed below the King’s neck.

The  Coin has been issued in two Variants:

i)The specifications of this 10 Euro (Eight Reales) Silver Coin are:

Country of issue: Spain; Coin Theme: "450th Anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto (1571-2021)";  Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 10 Euro (Eight Reales); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 27.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 40.00 mm;  Coin Quality: Proof with Applied Colour; Mintage: 6,000 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.

ii)The specifications of this 10 Euro (Eight Reales) Silver Coin are:

Country of issue: Spain; Coin Theme: "450th Anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto (1571-2021)";  Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Euro (Cincuentin); Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 168.7 grams; Diameter/Size: 73.00 mm;  Coin Quality: Proof with Applied Colour; Mintage: 2,500 pieces; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes.

Remarks: Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom branded case accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Both coins are available as separate purchases.

The Presentation Case and Shipper with the Certificate of Authenticity (COA)





Interesting links to posts on Portugal and Spanish Coins and postage stamps on this blog:

For interesting posts on Coins and stamps of Spain, please visit the following links:








9) "Nacional Museo del Prado", Spain: Celebrating the Bicentenary milestone (1819-2019): Commemorative Silver Coins of 30 Euros issued by Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda on 20.11.2019: Coins minted by the Madrid Mint

















For interesting posts on Coins and stamps of Portugal, please visit the following links:





6) "The Joker", Portugal: Portugal Post has issued a set of four stamps featuring "The Joker"character of DC Comics, who is an archenemy of the "Batman": Date of Stamp issue: 31.03.2020

7) Portuguese Numismatics (1st Group): A set of four Stamps in the values of N20g, A20g, E20g and 120g issued by CTT Correios (Portuguese Post) in partnership with INCM ("Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda (the "Portuguese Mint & Official Printing Office") depicting coins from various periods of history: Date od Stamp set issue: 22.04.2020








For posts on coins issued under the Eurostar Coin Programme, please visit the following links:


6) Leonardo da Vinci, France: The latest issue from the Monnaie de Paris, France highlights him on the latest Europa Silver Star Coin Programme issued by the Paris Mint: Coin issue date: 03/2019

7) i) "Europa Coin Programme" or the "European Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme" ii) Central Bank of Malta issues 50 Euro (Gold) and 10 Euro (Silver) Proof Coins featuring "Architecture and artwork of the Gothic Era" in 05/2020 (which is a part of the wider programme focussing on the ages of Europe: Date of Coins issue: 08.05.2020






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4 comments:

  1. coins and more6 August 2021 at 23:17

    Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
    "The objective of total conversion of Europe to Islam and then on to Wahabist terrorism was thus thwarted!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. coins and more6 August 2021 at 23:17

      I wonder if the Quad is cohesive enough to keep our belligerent neighbours in their place 😀

      Delete
  2. coins and more6 August 2021 at 23:18

    Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "Thanks for sharing. Keep it up."

    ReplyDelete