1595 Granada 4 Reales NGC XF-40

Item #CC-0375 | 1595 Granada 4 Reales NGC XF-40
Mint: Granada, Spain
Assayer: F for “Francisco Téllez”
Ruler/Period: King Philip II
Grade: XF-40

For details and population on this coin from NGC, click on the serial number here: 2901316-005

Description: The Granada mint, established in the late 1400s, was an important institution in the Kingdom of Spain, reflecting the wealth and power Spain held during its Golden Age. The mint was established after the Reconquista, as Granada became fully integrated into the Spanish crown following its capture from the Moors in 1492. This period marked a need for widespread coinage as Spain’s empire expanded, bringing gold and silver from the Americas. Granada’s mint produced various denominations of coins, including silver reales and gold escudos, circulating widely across Europe and the Spanish Empire. However, the mint faced challenges in controlling the quality and consistency of coinage due to limited resources and occasional counterfeiting, leading to stricter regulations by the Crown. By the 17th century, the Granada mint saw a decline in operations, as mints in other Spanish cities took over much of the country’s currency production.

This coin is an exceptional surviving example that was minted nearly 100 years after the opening of the mint. Very few examples of Granada coinage circulate the market today, making this unique 4 reales a true gem.