Eagle Displaying Crowned Shield of Aragon and Castile [reverse] c. 16th century

This is a small gold coin, likely made in Spain sometime in the late 15th or early 16th century. Though anonymous, the coin can tell us about the history of the Spanish kingdoms. The most striking feature is the crowned shield emblazoned with the arms of Aragon and Castile, kingdoms united by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1469. The eagle is a symbol of power and dominion, further emphasized by the Latin inscription which speaks to the protection afforded by the monarch. In this period, newly unified Spain was consolidating power, funding expeditions to the Americas, and expelling religious minorities such as Jews and Muslims. These actions transformed Spanish society and established a culture of conquest. As historians, we can turn to period documents, chronicles, and financial records to learn more about this transformative period. Through this research, we can more fully understand how objects like this coin reflect the political, economic, and religious changes happening at that time.