Spain 1, 2, and 4 Reales (no Pillars) 1851 to 1864

These nice old silver coins were minted for some years during the reign of Isabella II of Spain. The design is mostly the same except, of course, for the denomination, which can be told by the inscription (i.e. 2R = 2 reales), or by the size and weight, listed after the denomination in the table of values below. There are similar looking coins which have pillars on either side of the shield. Click to this CoinQuest page for the 'with Pillars' coins.

On some coins noted below it is important to count the number of points on the two small stars beneath the shield on the back side of the coin. Get out your magnifier!

Further, some of these coins shows Isabel with a laureate head, that is, on with a crown of leaves that signify success. The values below apply to both plain and laureate portraits.

1 REAL (1.31 g, 15 mm):
worn: $3 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $45
1 real coins dated 1854 and 1855 with a 7-pointed star are scarce in better grades - double the above values for coins that are average circulated or better.
1 real coins dated 1857 to 1859 (laureate head) catalog at $125 in well preserved condition

2 REALES (2.63 g, 18 mm):
worn: $7
average circulated: $45
well preserved: $150
Some 2 reales are scarcer. Multiply the above values by 2 for the following coins:
1853 (6-pointed star)
1854 and 1855 (7-pointed star)
1852, 1854 and 1855 (8-pointed star)
1859 and 1860 coins (laureate head) are more common. Divide these values by two.

4 REALES (5.26 g, 23.2 mm):
worn: $7
average circulated: $30
well preserved: $125
4 reales dated 1855 (6-pointed star) catalog at $10 when worn
4 reales dated 1854 (7-pointed and 8-pointed star) catalog at $50 when average circulated
4 reales dated 1855 (7-pointed and 8-pointed star) catalog at $25 when worn, 100 average circulated, $250 when well preserved
coins dated 1858 (laureate head) are more rare and catalog at $1000 in well preserved condition.

These are all catalog values, and you must refer to our 'Important Terminology' page on the top left in order to properly interpret them.

Remember to never clean a coin. A cleaned coin is considered to be damaged. Other damage could be ugly scratches, a bent coin, a coin mounted as jewelry, a holed coin, or anything else that defaces the coin. Damaged coins are worth much, much less. Collectors dislike them.
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