5 Groats Igualada

Catalonia's 1641–1642 coinage was emergency production — the Principality had just declared itself a republic under French protection in January 1641, having revolted against Philip IV of Spain during the Reapers' War. Igualada was one of several Catalan mints activated precisely because Barcelona could not handle volume alone during the crisis.

The revolt itself was sparked by Castilian troops billeted on Catalan households — the so-called "army of Italy" wintering in the region in 1640. French sovereignty lasted until 1652, when Barcelona fell back to Philip IV after a prolonged siege.