Spain 5 Pesetas (Alfonso XIII, Baby Head Type)

Kingdom of Spain · 1898

A large silver coin featuring the boy-portrait of King Alfonso XIII and the crowned royal coat of arms with the Pillars of Hercules.

Country: Kingdom of Spain
Year: 1898
Denomination: 5 Pesetas
Metal: Silver (.900 fine)

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 April 21, 2026More kingdom of spain coins →

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Overview

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).

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.

Estimated value

$25-$45 in Very Good/Fine condition, $80-$150 in Extremely Fine, $300+ in Mint State.

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.

Grade assessment

Very Fine (VF). The hair details on the portrait show moderate wear, and the shield detail is mostly intact but flat in the centers.

Mintage & rarity

Approximately 4,900,000 minted in 1898. Common date for the series.

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'.

Similar coins

The 1888-1892 'Baby Head' and the 1892-1894 'Puff-Cheek' types are similar but show Alfonso at slightly different ages.

Care & preservation

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.