Jaime II of Majorca ruled as a perpetual vassal of the Aragonese crown — a political subordination formalized after his brother Pedro III forced him to acknowledge Aragonese suzerainty following the Sicilian Vespers crisis of 1282. The right to strike his own coinage was one of the few genuine marks of sovereignty his kingdom retained, making the Majorcan mint's output during this period as much a political statement as a practical necessity.
Billon production at this weight was notoriously inconsistent across Majorcan issues, and Cru#544 specimens vary enough in silver content to suggest periodic adjustments to the alloy during the thirty-five year reign.
Jaime II of Majorca ruled as a perpetual vassal of the Aragonese crown — a political subordination formalized after his brother Pedro III forced him to acknowledge Aragonese suzerainty following the Sicilian Vespers crisis of 1282. The right to strike his own coinage was one of the few genuine marks of sovereignty his kingdom retained, making the Majorcan mint's output during this period as much a political statement as a practical necessity.
Billon production at this weight was notoriously inconsistent across Majorcan issues, and Cru#544 specimens vary enough in silver content to suggest periodic adjustments to the alloy during the thirty-five year reign.