October 27, 2016 – The Royal Spanish Mint celebrates the 300th anniversary of King Charles III by releasing a new collector coin. Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He conquered the kingdoms of Naples and of Sicily, reigning as Charles VII of Naples and Charles V of Sicily.
Spain / 10 euro (8 reales) / .925 silver / 27g / 40mm / Mintage: 7,500.
The obverse features a profile of H. M. King Felipe VI. The reverse depicts Charles III wearing the cloak of Grand Master of the Order that he established himself to reward people for their actions in benefit to Spain and the Crown. He stands by the famous “Alcala Gate” in Madrid. He was actually nicknamed the “Best Mayor of Madrid” for the many public works that were tackled in the city during his reign.
Portrait of Charles III by Anton Raphael Mengs, 1761.
As king of Spain, Charles III tried to rescue his empire from decay through far-reaching reforms such as weakening the Church and its monasteries, promoting science and university research, facilitating trade and commerce, modernizing agriculture and avoiding wars. His reforms proved short-lived and Spain relapsed after his death, but his legacy lives on to this day.
This is the website of the Royal Spanish Mint.