Treseta - Felipe V

Historical Context: This Treseta, issued by the Kingdom of Valencia between 1710 and 1711, places it firmly within the tumultuous War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). Felipe V, the Bourbon claimant, had consolidated his control over Valencia following the Battle of Almansa in 1707. The issuance of this copper denomination reflects the ongoing necessity for small change within the local economy, likely strained by wartime conditions and the political restructuring initiated by the *Nueva Planta* decrees, which aimed to centralize administration under the Castilian model.

Artistry: The engraver for this low-denomination copper issue remains anonymous, typical for provincial mints of the period. The design adheres to a simplified Baroque aesthetic, characteristic of early Bourbon coinage. The obverse features a crowned lozenge shield bearing the arms of Valencia, signifying its status under royal authority. The reverse displays a crowned "V" monogram, representing Valencia, often accompanied by the date below. This iconography served to assert royal dominion while acknowledging the issuing entity.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper, this Treseta weighs approximately 3 grams and measures 22 millimeters. Common high-points for wear or strike weakness include the details of the crowns on both obverse and reverse, as well as the finer lines within the Valencian shield and the serifs of the "V" monogram. Due to the wartime production environment and the nature of copper planchets, strikes are frequently uneven, often exhibiting weakness in peripheral legends or central motifs. Planchet irregularities, such as minor laminations or off-center strikes, are also commonly observed.