Ferdinand II of Aragon(1452 - 1516) was ruler of Sicily and Aragon and his marriage to Queen Isabella I of Castille(1451 – 1504), collectively known as the Catholic Monarchs, formed the basis for the eventual political unification of Spain. To mark the quincentenary of his death in 1516 the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre(Royal Spanish Mint) is issuing two commemorative collector's coins.

Spain 2016 Silver 10 Euro - 400 Years Ferdinand II of Aragon

The first is a sterling silver(.925 Fineness) proof commemorative crown, denominated as €10. The slightly larger than average 40mm(1.57 inch) coin depicts a three-quarter portrait of Ferdinand II of Aragon slightly offset to the left of the coin. To his right is the date, 2016, and the country of issue, “ESPAÑA”(SPAIN), is inscribed along the rim just above the date. The image of Ferdinand II of Aragon used here was taken from a portrait of the 15th century ruler currently being curated at the Naval Museum in Madrid.

Spain 2016 Silver 10 Euro Obverse - 400 Years Ferdinand II of Aragon

The obverse design features the Coat of Arms of Ferdinand II of Aragon as it appears on the ceiling and various other decorative trimmings of the Aljafería Palace at Zaragosa. The Coat of Arms is slightly offset to the right with the denomination appearing to the left of the coin. Along the rim to the top appears the inscription “ FERNANDO II DE ARAGON”  and to the bottom left “1516 – 2016”. The mintmark of the Royal Spanish Mint appears just to the left of the Coat of Arms, below the denomination of “10 EURO”.

The silver 10 Euro Ferdinand II of Aragon proof coin has a limited mintage of 7500 coins total, and will tip the scales at 27gram(0.95oz).

Spain 2016 Gold 100 Euro Reverse - 400 Years Ferdinand II of Aragon

The second coin to be released is a 100 Euro gold coin, of .999 Fineness gold. The reverse design of the coin depicts an old gold 4 Excelentes coin that bore the effigies of the two Catholic Monarchs, facing each other. The legend is inscribed just above in a semi-circle along the rim and reads : “ESPAÑA – 2016”.

15th Century Catholic Monarch Coin

The obverse depicts an external view of the Aljafería Palace at Zaragosa. The obverse legend reads : “PALACIO DE LA ALJAFERIA  100 EUROS”. The Royal Spanish Mint's mintmark appears just above to the right.

The gold 100 Euro coin measures23mm(0.9 inch) and is just shy of a full 1/4oz of pure gold at 6.75gram. The gold 100 Euro coin has a limited mintage of 2500 proof coins. Both coins are issued in a blue velvet lined display case from Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre individually or together as a set. The silver 10 Euro coin is set to retail for around €45.00 and the gold 100 Euro coin for €375.00. Alternatively the two coin set can be obtained from the Royal Spanish Mint.