Spanish States, Kingdom of Castile and Leon, Henry IV, Blanca

These medieval blanca coins were struck during the reign of Henry IV of Castile and León (1454–1474). They were made of billon, a low-grade silver alloy, and featured a castle on one side (the emblem of Castile) and a lion on the other (the emblem of León).

At the time these coins were struck, the nation that we now call Spain was still a patchwork of kingdoms, each with its own language, culture, and rulers. The most important were Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and the Muslim Emirate of Granada in the south, while Portugal had already established itself as an independent kingdom. These realms often clashed or allied with one another, bound together by the long struggle between Christians and Muslims known as the Reconquista. A turning point came in 1469, when Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile, laying the groundwork for the eventual unification of Spain.

Henry IV’s reign came just before this union. Known as “Henry the Impotent,” he faced a troubled rule marked by political unrest and disputes over succession. His inability to keep the nobility under control led to civil wars, while doubts over the legitimacy of his daughter Joanna (suspected of being illegitimate) further destabilized the kingdom. When Henry died, Castile split between supporters of Joanna and those of his half-sister Isabella, who ultimately prevailed. Isabella’s victory, alongside Ferdinand, paved the way for the creation of a unified Spanish crown.

Each coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.