5 Sous - Principality of Catalonia

This piece dates to the Corpus de Sang — the Reapers' War — when Catalonia revolted against Philip IV of Spain and placed itself under French protection, briefly becoming a republic before accepting Louis XIII as Count of Barcelona. Municipal and ecclesiastical authorities across Catalonia struck emergency silver during this period because the existing monetary infrastructure had collapsed under the weight of billeted Castilian troops and requisitioned supplies. Vic, a modest episcopal city in the Osona comarca, was among the municipalities that took matters into its own hands.

The fineness of .931 is notably high for a siege-era emergency issue, suggesting the municipality was drawing on existing silver stock rather than debasing to meet demand.