Spain's silver duro was the workhorse crown of the Restoration era, and this 1885 5 Pesetas escaped the wear that claimed nearly all of them. The small six-pointed stars flanking the date read 87, which marks a striking in 1887 from dies dated 1885. Alfonso XII had died in late 1885, so his youthful portrait kept appearing on Madrid crowns after his reign ended. The Grundy Collection pedigree noted on the holder adds recorded provenance to a type that usually surfaces well circulated.

The obverse carries the bare-head bust of Alfonso XII facing left, with a crisp beard and finely engraved hair by Gregorio Sellan, whose initials sit beneath the truncation. The legend ALFONSO XII POR LA G. DE DIOS wraps the rim in bold letters, and the date sits below the bust between stars. On the reverse, the crowned Spanish coat of arms combines the castle of Castile, the lion of Leon, the pales of Aragon, the chains of Navarre, and the pomegranate of Granada, with the Bourbon fleurs-de-lis on the central shield. Pillars of Hercules with PLUS ULTRA banners stand on either side, while 5 PESETAS and the assayer initials M-S-M complete the design.

NGC graded this crown MS-61, so it never entered circulation and retains the sharp device definition seen on the shield, crown, and portrait. Deep charcoal and mahogany toning covers both sides, with muted luster stirring in the fields and the scattered contact marks expected at the grade. Mint State examples of the big Spanish duro are far scarcer than the worn survivors that fill most trays, and this one pairs original surfaces with a named collection pedigree. A welcome addition to any collection of Spanish crowns or world silver. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

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