Spain 5 Centimos, Alfonso XII

Kingdom of Spain · 1879

A bronze Spanish coin featuring the portrait of King Alfonso XII on the obverse and the crowned royal coat of arms on the reverse.

Country: Kingdom of Spain
Year: 1879
Denomination: 5 Centimos
Metal: Bronze (95% Copper, 4% Tin, 1% Zinc)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified June 21, 2026More kingdom of spain coins →

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Overview

A bronze Spanish coin featuring the portrait of King Alfonso XII on the obverse and the crowned royal coat of arms on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued during the Restoration period of the Spanish monarchy under Alfonso XII (1874-1885), following the turbulent First Spanish Republic and the Carlist Wars.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of King Alfonso XII. Legend: ALFONSO XII POR LA GRACIA DE DIOS with the date 1879 at the bottom. Designer: Gregorio Sellan.

Reverse (back)

Crowned Spanish coat of arms flanked by olive branches. Legend: REY CONSTL. DE ESPAÑA above and CINCO CENTIMOS below.

Estimated value

$1-$5 in well-worn condition, $15-$40 in Extremely Fine, up to $150+ in uncirculated state with original luster.

What drives this coin's value

Most influenced by the clarity of the hair on the portrait and the details in the shield. Surface spotting and corrosion (common in bronze) decrease value.

Grade assessment

Fine to Very Fine. The hair details of the portrait are significantly worn, and the reverse shield design is flattened, but all legends are legible.

Mintage & rarity

Approximately 50,000,000; common in circulated grades, but difficult to find in high mint state grades.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight (5g) and diameter (25mm). Counterfeits are rare for this denomination, but cast replicas may show pitting or soft details.

Notable varieties & errors

Small stars vs. large stars in the legend; some die clashes are known to exist.

Similar coins

Often confused with the larger 10 Centimos of the same design (which weighs 10g and is 30mm) or the earlier 5 Centimos of the Provisional Government (1870).