Spain 5 Centimos, Alfonso XII

Kingdom of Spain · 1879

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

Country: Kingdom of Spain
Year: 1879
Denomination: 5 Céntimos
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 20, 2026More kingdom of spain coins →

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Overview

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.

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'.

Estimated value

$1-$5 in circulated condition (G-F), $10-$30 in VF-XF, $100+ in Uncirculated (MS) condition.

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.

Grade assessment

Very Good (VG) to Fine (F). Significant wear visible on the hair details and high points of the shield, but all legends are legible.

Mintage & rarity

Common; mintage was approximately 35,000,000 for this year.

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.