2452) "El Toro", Spain: "Spanish Culture and Heritage Coin Series": Second Gold Bullion Coin in the Series: The Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda (The Spanish Mint) has issued a 1.50 Euro Gold Reverse Proof Coin: Date of Coin issue: 2022:
The Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre — Casa Real de la Moneda (The Spanish Mint) has issued the latest gold bullion coins for 2022, which follows the immense success of its first issue last year.
The theme of the Coin Series is - "Spanish Culture and Heritage Coin Series" depicted through the country’s wildlife.
The Iberian Lynx featured on the 2021-dated one-ounce coins.
For 2022, the quintessential symbol of Spanish heritage, the Spanish fighting bull (or "toro bravo"), a type of steer native to the Iberian Peninsula, is featured on the Reverse face.
The Header/Banner showcases the Obverse and reverse of the 1.50 Euro Gold Bullion Coin against a background image of a "Toto"(Bull) pacing itself in the Bull-fighting ring
Bullfighting - A brief:
Running from March to October, the Bullfighting season is eagerly anticipated, and its origins are said to be traced to the early eighth Century AD.
As a part of the Roman Empire, the Spanish bullfighting tradition owes its early practice to Gladiator Games though the initial tournaments were staged on horseback and reserved for Spanish aristocracy.
It is widely believed the first official bullfight ("corrida de toros") was held in honour of the coronation of King Alfonso VIII, whose rule began in 1158.
Another tradition which involves the "toro bravo" is the event known as the "running of the bulls" (or in Catalan, "correbous").
Made popular in the city of Pamplona and considered an act of bravery, men in the towns run in front of a small group of bulls, sometimes ten or more that have been let loose on sectioned-off streets in a town.
It is not uncommon for the participants to sustain injuries, and on rare occasions, fatalities have occurred.
The Gold Bullion Coin:
The design on the Reverse of the 1.50 Euro Gold Coin depicts a "toro bravo", as it might be seen while entering the bull ring.
Above the primary design is the coin’s denomination of "1.50 EURO", and to the left of the value is "crowned M" mintmark of the Real Casa de la Moneda and the year of issue - "2022". To the lower right along the rim is the text "TORO".
The design on the Obverse of the 1.50 Euro Gold Coin depicts the classic motif of the "columnario", an unmistakable symbol of the historic Spanish Pillar dollar silver coins once recognised worldwide as the primary coin of international trade.
The crest depicts two hemispheres under a royal crown, flanked by the Pillars of Hercules with the motto "PLUS VLTRA" (“further beyond”), above a sea of waves. This design has been modified with respect to the 2021 coin.
As well as, the modified design is the addition of a unique security measure patented by the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Real Casa de la Moneda placed above the crest.
The quadruple latent image security feature, when tilted under a source of light, enables four different images to be viewed such as the "mintmark", a "five-pointed star", the "Euro currency symbol", and the "silhouette of the columnar".
The legend seen to the left and right edge reads "FELIPE VI REY DE ESPANA", along with the specifications "1 ONZA 999,9 ORO," seen below the crest.
The coin is struck in Reverse Proof quality, with the background shown in matte and the engraved relief with a polished effect.
What are Columnarios ?:
Columnarios are silver coins that were minted by Spain from 1732 to 1773 throughout its New World colonies.
While the majority of columnarios were struck in Mexico, smaller mints existed in Guatemala; Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Potosí, Bolivia; and Colombia.
The base denomination is an 8 Reales Coin (or "Piece of Eight" or "Spanish Dollar"). Other minor denominations included 4 reales, 2 reales, 1 real, and 1/2 real. The 8 reales coin is the predecessor to the American dollar).
The design of the columnario consists on the Reverse of two worlds — representing the new world and old world — with a royal crown above.
Below are the waves of the sea that separate the worlds and on the left and right are columns (hence the name "columnarios") representing the Pillars of Hercules adorned with crowns and wrapped with a banner spelling "PLUS ULTRA", meaning "more beyond".
The Reverse also has the letters "VTRAQUE VNUM", referring to the Old and New Worlds - "Both are One", and the date at the bottom, with mint marks on both sides.
The Obverse features the crown's name followed by "D G HISPAN ET IND REX", meaning, "By the Grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies."
The assayer's mark is on the left and the denomination on the right of a large Spanish shield which is adorned with a royal crown atop. Various florets, rosettes, stops, and other features are used to separate features.
The specification of the Gold Bullion Coins are:
Country of issue: Spain; Date/Year: 2022; Coin Theme: " El Toro"; Denomination/Face Value: 1.50 Euro; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1.00 Oz or 31.1 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.20 mm; Coin Quality: Reverse Proof (RP); Minted by: Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda; Mintage: 15,000 pieces; Encapsulated: Each Coin is individually encapsulated.
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