Peninsular War-Related Issue

CNG 105, Lot: 1168. Estimate $3000. Sold for $3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SPAIN, Reino de España. Fernando VII. Prisoniero, 1808-1814. AR 5 Pesetas (41mm, 26.80 g, 12h). Lérida (Lleida) mint. Dated 1809. Draped bust right; flower below bust / Crowned coat-of-arms. ME 15800; NE 494; KM 11. VF, toned, typical crude strike. Extremely rare.

This coin, struck in the name of King Fernando VII of Spain by his supporters at Lérida in western Cataluña, 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. The reigning monarch, Carlos IV, was forced to abdicate on 19 March 1808, in favor of his son, who became Fernando VII. Almost two months later, Fernando was himself forced to abdicate, spending the next six years as a prisoner in France. In his place, Napoleon installed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as king of Spain. Uprisings against the Bonaparte pretender soon broke out across the country with provincial juntas forming in regions opposed to the new rule. Among those supporting the imprisoned Fernando VII was the garrison at Lérida. From 23 April and 29 April to 14 May 1810, the garrison, under the command of Jaime García Conde, was besieged by the French forces of Louis-Gabriel Suchet, one of Napoleon's most brilliant generals. After a brutal siege, which included the use of heavy artillery against which Lérida was ill-equipped, the city surrendered, netting the French six generals, 307 officers, and 105 artillery pieces as a result.