Spain 5 Pesetas (Alfonso XIII, Baby Head Type)
Country of Origin: Kingdom of Spain
Year of Issue: 1898
Denomination: 5 Pesetas
Composition: Silver (.900 fine)
Brief Description
A large silver coin featuring the boy-portrait of King Alfonso XIII and the crowned royal coat of arms with the Pillars of Hercules.
Historical Significance
Minted during the regency of Maria Christina for her son Alfonso XIII. The year 1898 is historically significant as the year of the Spanish-American War, which resulted in Spain losing the last of its overseas empire (Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines).
Estimated Value
$25-$45 in Very Good/Fine condition, $80-$150 in Extremely Fine, $300+ in Mint State.
Care Instructions
Do not clean or polish the coin, as this destroys numismatic value. Handle by the edges only. Store in a PVC-free flip or a specialized coin capsule to prevent environmental damage.
Mint Mark
M within a star (Madrid Mint). On 1898 issues, look for tiny numbers inside the six-pointed stars; 18 and 98 are typical.
Mintage & Rarity
Approximately 4,900,000 minted in 1898. Common date for the series.
Weight & Diameter
25.0 grams / 37.0 mm
Edge
Lettered (featuring fluer-de-lis patterns)
Apparent Grade
Very Fine (VF). The hair details on the portrait show moderate wear, and the shield detail is mostly intact but flat in the centers.
Obverse (Front)
Left-facing portrait of the young King Alfonso XIII. Legend: ALFONSO XIII POR LA G· DE DIOS * 1898 *. Designer: Gregorio Sellán González (initials 'G.S.' or 'S.G.' often on reverse).
Reverse (Back)
Crowned coat of arms of Spain flanked by the Pillars of Hercules with 'PLUS ULTRA' banners. Legend: REY CONSTL. DE ESPAÑA. Bottom legend: 5 PESETAS. Assayer initials S.G. V. visible at left/right.
What Drives This Coin's Value
The specific year (1898), the condition (especially luster), and the crispness of the tiny dates inside the stars on the obverse.
Similar Coins
The 1888-1892 'Baby Head' and the 1892-1894 'Puff-Cheek' types are similar but show Alfonso at slightly different ages.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Authentic silver coins of this type should weigh exactly 25.0 grams when new. Check for a clear ring sound (silver ping). Modern counterfeits often have leaden surfaces or lack the tiny dates inside the stars.
Notable Varieties & Errors
The date inside the stars is the most important variety for specialists; for 1898, the stars typically contain '18' and '98'.
Created At: 2026-04-21T11:44:22.119586