Spain 5 Centimos, Alfonso XII
Country of Origin: Kingdom of Spain
Year of Issue: 1879
Denomination: 5 Céntimos
Composition: Bronze (95% Copper, 4% Tin, 1% Zinc)
Brief Description
A small bronze Spanish coin featuring the portrait of King Alfonso XII and the crowned Spanish coat of arms on the reverse.
Historical Significance
Alfonso XII reigned from 1874 to 1885 during the Restoration period of the Spanish monarchy following the brief First Spanish Republic.
Estimated Value
$1-$5 in circulated condition (G-F), $10-$30 in VF-XF, $100+ in Uncirculated (MS) condition.
Care Instructions
Store in a PVC-free coin flip or holder. Avoid cleaning or polishing as it destroys the natural patina and reduces numismatic value.
Mint Mark
OM (O.M.) for the Barcelona Mint, though often indicated by stars (6-pointed stars for Barcelona).
Mintage & Rarity
Common; mintage was approximately 35,000,000 for this year.
Weight & Diameter
5.0 grams / 25.0 mm
Edge
Plain
Apparent Grade
Very Good (VG) to Fine (F). Significant wear visible on the hair details and high points of the shield, but all legends are legible.
Obverse (Front)
Portrait of King Alfonso XII facing right with the legend 'ALFONSO XII POR LA GRACIA DE DIOS' and the date 1879 at the bottom.
Reverse (Back)
Crowned Spanish coat of arms flanked by olive branches, with the legend 'REY CONSTL. DE ESPAÑA' and the denomination 'CINCO CENTIMOS'.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Condition and the visibility of the numbers inside the 6-pointed stars, which indicate the actual year of striking.
Similar Coins
The 10 Céntimos of the same year looks identical but is significantly larger (10g / 30mm).
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for weight (5g) and diameter (25mm). Modern cast forgeries often have a mushy or pitted surface compared to the sharp strike of an original.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Minor variations in the size of the date and the placement of the stars are known, though they do not significantly impact value for this specific date.
Created At: 2026-06-20T21:51:55.595270