Coins, banknotes, medals…Numismatics is an adventure for collectors this never ends. But among all the options this category has to offer collection The first are the experts’ favorites. By paying by card (or even with your mobile phone), coins are not used much anymoreHowever, decades ago they were the most common payment method in our country. Especially before, at the beginning of the century, the peseta was replaced by the euro.

Even though 24 years have passed, there are still banknotes and coins of the old currency worth 1 billion 575 million euros in the drawers of the Spanish.

However, in numismatics, the value of coins is calculated not only based on their market price, but also on their history. In fact, there are other currencies within our borders that are not pesetas. They have incredible value. And they antiqueThe state of preservation and the materials from which they are made have caused their prices to increase rapidly.

One of the most striking examples is that of the “Segovian centén”. jewel in the crown for coin collectors. This gold coin stands out for its significant size (largest in spain and one of the largest in Europe) and due to its high value at auction: today it can reach two million euros.

They were minted in the workshops of the Real Ingenio de Segovia (hence the so-called Segovian centén) during the reigns of Felipe III, Felipe IV and Carlos II, and They are equivalent to 100 shields, are 7.5 centimeters in diameter and weigh about 339 grams. gold. These were pressure formed by inserting the metal between two large dies and then cutting the blank to adjust its weight. Eventually the coin was finished by hand, making it a jewelery masterpiece.

They are decorated with the Jerusalem cross and the shield of the territories of the Spanish Monarchy. Another distinguishing feature is that the Latin inscription is engraved on the edges. Phillipus III Dei Gratia (Philip III, by the grace of God). However, one of the features that makes it a very rare coin is this: only two series were made: one in 1609, the other in 1633. According to the Spanish Numismatic catalogue, only four copies were printed in each one.

Given its great value at the time, some studies indicate that it was used frequently. Symbol of recognition and public ostentation. Also a form possessed by rulers reward certain characters Prominent members of the nobility of the time.

Its value is so great that its interest has gone beyond the borders of Spain, and collectors from all over the world are looking for this coin. Currently experts have found only one coin from the first series: 1609 of Philip III and The auction of Áureo and Calicó’s house fetched a chilling price of 800,000 euros.. It was a Swiss who volunteered to give. final price 944,000 euros. Today this price has increased exponentially and the piece is worth around two million euros.

There is information that Felipe IV was printed in 1623 (one piece) and only hundreds in 1633. This latest date is the rarest, with four copies available and three in private hands. One of these three was auctioned at the same location with a starting price of 500,000 euros. Another of these is in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain. In Madrid.

Don’t lose hope

Even though I found a Segovian cent in the attic It’s almost impossibleYes, there are some old coins that remain real treasures in the collecting world and for which you can pay real fortunes. As stated on the Áureo and Calicó websiteThere are hundreds of premises, e.g. big two or the twelvefold of Fernando VI, the 10 and 20 doubles of John II, the 50 doubles of Henry, or the 50 perfects of the Catholic Monarchs. They are all incredibly rare pieces and most are in private hands.

In the case of a suspected specimen of particular historical value, the best and most advisable thing is to go to an expert. to understand its value. It should be noted that valuations can vary, and it is collectors (and buyers) who value coins for their unusual properties and are willing to invest in them.

We have previously commented on Xataka how the numbers quoted in the texts are frequently used exaggerated and we see that for years the media has been publishing exaggerated news about the value of common and current currencies, especially the peseta.

Image | Numismatic Blog / National Archaeological Museum

in Xataka | Sorry, you don’t have thousands of euros worth of old pesetas in your drawer.

*An earlier version of this article was published in December 2023.