1808 and 1809 Spanish Mexico 8 Reales and a Little History

coffeyce

Here are 2 newer pieces I obtained to match with my Coin and Document sets. Im hoping to match the years with some type of Spanish coin with the exact date and Monarch.

In 1808 The French Invaded Spain under the pretense of routing troops to Portugal. After the French seized a stronghold on the border King Charles 4th, turned to his son for help and soon abdicated the throne to him. Emperor Napoleon had plans to take the Spanish throne for some time and invited Charles 4th and Ferdinand to France to work out their problems. Upon arrived both were held hostage in France. Ferdinand was forced to abdicate to Charles 4th, who did the same to Napoleon. Napoleon then offered the throne to his brothers and Joseph accepted. The people didn't really care for Ferdinand 7th but they would never accept a French King forced upon their Spanish throne. On 2-May 1808, the peoples discontent boiled over and a confrontation between Spaniards and French forces ensued and there were mass casualties. By 1809 Spain had lost control of almost everything with the only major holdout being a Stronghold in Cadiz. Had it not been for the British this would have been lost as well.

This was a war that would change the face of the Europe and the world. In the end France was invaded, Spain was in ruins and events from the war would cause the loss of almost all of its Americas colonies due to the 1812 Independence movement.

Joseph Napoleons face was on Spanish minted coins during his short reign and most of his items in Spain were ordered destroyed after his retreat back to France.

Here is a 1814 Cuba document ordering the destruction of his Laws and books and a 1810 Napoleon 20 Reales coin I want match with the item.

On 30 May 1811, the Cadiz Cortez, invoking the authority of King Ferdinand 7th in his absence authorized a national holiday "Dos Mayo" to remember the heroic countrymen who refused to bow to French tyranny. The holiday is still celebrated today in Spain.

The Cadiz Cortez was composed of mostly liberal politicians and such and they wanted to take the power from the monarch and give it to the people and they passed many laws and changed many things to this means. One main pieces they produced was the 1812 Constitution (La Pepa) which is argued to have caused many of Spain's colonies to revolt for freedom. The Spanish Inquisition was also reviewed and abolished by the Cadiz Cortez in 1812.

here is a 1813 document abolishing it in Cuba after being told the news.

Upon return from captivity King Ferdinand 7th was forced to accept the 1812 Constitution before he allowed to return as king. He agreed and soon after taking back the throne the nobles told him he was tricked into surrendering his God given right. He immediately abolished the constitution and abolished the Cadiz Cortez's decrees and laws. He later reviewed them to see if the decrees were good and then he would issue a new decree under his own hand. Most of these liberals were also imprisoned for their anti-monarch and liberal thinking, but this was not the end of his liberal problems as again in 1820 he was forced to accept the constitution and it lasted for 3 years until the French help him overthrow the opposition in fear they might face the same independence movements in the rest of Europe.

JohnnyCache

I like the concept you're going for, matching the documents and the coins.
I also very much enjoy the look of that 1808 8R, it's got a nice wholesome look.

I'm familiar with the history you've shared here, having read about it in one of several books I have on spanish american coinage, however despite being familiar with the story I still found it interesting to be able to read the story in conjunction with viewing the documents you posted, it just makes connecting with the history so much more tangible.

I'm not at all knowledgeable in the area of historic documentation, but the documents written in script look like they are original, is that the case? And if so, do you have a story on how they were procured?

Also are you working on this for a coin show exhibit, or more so for personal display, just curious.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoy spanish coinage, but particularly, I love all that surrounds spanish-american coinage and history.

JC

TwoKopeiki

These are amazing! Both the coins and the documents. Thank you for sharing!

coffeyce

@JohnnyCache said:
I like the concept you're going for, matching the documents and the coins.
I also very much enjoy the look of that 1808 8R, it's got a nice wholesome look.

I'm familiar with the history you've shared here, having read about it in one of several books I have on spanish american coinage, however despite being familiar with the story I still found it interesting to be able to read the story in conjunction with viewing the documents you posted, it just makes connecting with the history so much more tangible.

I'm not at all knowledgeable in the area of historic documentation, but the documents written in script look like they are original, is that the case? And if so, do you have a story on how they were procured?

Also are you working on this for a coin show exhibit, or more so for personal display, just curious.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoy spanish coinage, but particularly, I love all that surrounds spanish-american coinage and history.

JC

JC,

Thank you for your comments. The documents are 100% original i own about 150 individual pieces from 1743-1898. Most are focused 1780-1850. I have english translations done for a number of these.

I am putting these together for myself.

What started this fiasco. 3 years ago i was buying a Spain 1782 Gold 1/2 Escudo at an auction it was beat up but the price i bid was below melt value. No one else bid and i won. The auctioner failed to mention it also came with an old Spanish Royal document.

I thought it was very cool. I put it in mylar protector and put it in my closet until about a year ago and decided to do some research on it. It was in very pristine condition for being from 1784, from King Charles 3rd. I determined it was a decree nominating Don Gregorio, the Marquis of Vallesantoro in to the Order of Santiago .



Most of the others i obtained from a collector in Spain at a great price as a group. I had the lot appraised and could get about 5-10 times what i paid if i sold. Now i cant find anymore without paying a huge price jump for common documents without significant history.

So my plan is to include CDV photos, coins and anything else monarch based with the documents.

An example is like this King Amadeo 1st piece. 22/23 King Amadeo 1st and his wife in the CDV. They ascended to the Spanish throne 1870-1873. He was Italian not Spanish so as you can imagine he wasnt well recieved even though he had great intentions for Spain. These are the documents i got the CDV’s for. These are his Ascension decrees from the Captain General (Governor) of Cuba. His bust on a Spain coin as well.

I think i like the documents a bit more then coins based on the history and coins say have a mintage of thousands to millions whereas original royal documents can go from 5-40. The signatures and writting are all original and paper does not survive too well compared to metal.

coffeyce

@TwoKopeiki said:
These are amazing! Both the coins and the documents. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you.

Jackthecat1

Fascinating history in coin and documents. After his and Napoleon's overthrow, Joseph Bonaparte fled Europe to the USA. His former estate in Bordentown, NJ is about 3 miles from my house.

coffeyce

@Jackthecat1 said:
Fascinating history in coin and documents. After his and Napoleon's overthrow, Joseph Bonaparte fled Europe to the USA. His former estate in Bordentown, NJ is about 3 miles from my house.

very cool I didn't know that.