5 Pesetas - Ferdinand VII Lleida

Varieties:

There are important variations of the bust, these being perhaps the most representative.

Aureo#1258; bust type 1 (most common type):

Aureo#1259; bust type 2:

This mint, like the one in Girona, was a product of necessity, imposed by the War of Independence (1808-1814). It was here that the famous Superior Junta of Catalonia was formed, which would set the guidelines for the entire Principality. The defense of Lleida, like that of Girona, was terrible; half the population died, and the city was almost destroyed. On April 13, Marshal Suchet arrived before Lleida, and from that moment the siege and bombardment of the city began. Little by little, all its bastions and fortifications fell until finally, unable to resist without reinforcements or supplies, they decided to capitulate on May 14, 1810.
Before and after the French siege, there were different governing juntas for the city, presided over by its Bishop and by Francisco J. García. In April 1809, the Board ordered the minting of emergency coins, and for this purpose, Don Antonio Rasich was tasked with opening the dies, and the title of director of the new factory was awarded to the silversmith Don Francisco Bigons, who remained in the position from June 1, 1809, when the minting began, until the end of April 1810, when it was closed due to its destruction in the last French attack.