Peninsular War (1808-1814) - The Siege of Mallorca

CNG 85, Lot: 1425. Estimate $300. Sold for $575. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SPAIN, Guerra de la independencia española. Mallorca. AR Treinta Sous (33mm, 26.86 g, 12h). Siege issue. Dated 1808. 30. S. / FER • VII / 1808. stamped in three lines across field into octagonal flan; all within raised linear border / Coat-of-arms stamped into octagonal flan within raised linear border. ME 15786; Calicó 519; Mailliet 1. Good VF.

This coin, struck in the name of King Fernando VII of Spain, was produced during the opening of the Peninsular War (1808-1814). This conflict, one of many fronts in the Napoleonic Wars, pitted the French Empire against Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain in a struggle to maintain control of the Iberian peninsula. Beginning in 1807, agents of the French government became involved in Spanish politics. They exploited squabbles among the Spanish royal family, which helped to further weaken the already disorganized Spanish military and government. In addition, Spain and France were jointly occupying Portugal during this period. As a pretext to send French soldiers into Spanish territory, Napoleon decided to reinforce his garrisons in Portugal. The Spanish, who had a treaty with France, did not refuse this increase in troop levels. By February of 1808, Napoleon had enough soldiers in place to reveal his true intention -- the occupation of Spain. By the time the Spanish realized the subterfuge, the French were powerful enough to take many cities. With their lack of organization, the Spanish military could not mount a defense. Its troops were spread throughout the country, including on the Balearic Islands. Mallorca, an island in that group, produced a series of coins as the French were taking control of the country.