By 1938, the Republic was losing the Civil War. This coin was struck in the government-controlled zone as Nationalist forces closed in on Catalonia, making it one of the last coinages issued under Republican authority. Brass was chosen partly because nickel, used in earlier Republican issues, had become difficult to source under wartime conditions.
Most surviving examples saw little circulation — Republican-controlled territory collapsed within months of the issue date.
By 1938, the Republic was losing the Civil War. This coin was struck in the government-controlled zone as Nationalist forces closed in on Catalonia, making it one of the last coinages issued under Republican authority. Brass was chosen partly because nickel, used in earlier Republican issues, had become difficult to source under wartime conditions.
Most surviving examples saw little circulation — Republican-controlled territory collapsed within months of the issue date.