Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 1732. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SPAIN, Catalan Revolt. Philip IV. 1621-1665. AR 5 Reales (11.43 gm, 10h). Barcelona mint. Dated 1641. [PHILIP] 9 R HISPAN[IA], crowned Catalan coat-of-arms; V R at sides / BAR[C IN]O C IVITAS 1641, long cross with pellets and annulets. ME 6452; Calicó and Trigo 18; KM 19. Good VF for type, fine old toning. Rare. ($750)

The province of Catalonia always had a strained relationship with the crown at Madrid. In 1640 an attempt by Philip to restrict local authority led to a full blown revolt led by the Duke of Olivares. The Catalans at first kept the name of the Spanish monarch on their autonomous coinage, but soon changed it to the "Principality of Catalonia". Later in 1641 the Catalans accepted the protection of Louis XIII of France, and coins were struck in his name over a three year period. The conflict continued until 1652, when Barcelona fell to the Spaniards, and a permanent settlement was reached between Spain and France in 1659, ending the revolt.