The obverse design of the coin re-creates the obverse of the famous Spanish dollar (also known as the "piece of eight"), which was widely used as the first international currency from the 16th to 19th centuries. It displays two hemispheres of a world map, crowned between the Pillars of Hercules; the two pillars are also crowned.
On ribbons wrapping the columns, the PLUS VLTRA motto. "Plus ultra" (spelled with V for the second U, as in old Latin) is a Latin phrase and the national motto of Spain. A reversal of the original phrase "non plus ultra" ("Nothing further beyond"), said to have been inscribed as a warning on the Pillars of Hercules at the Strait of Gibraltar (which marked the edge of the known world in antiquity), it has metaphorical suggestions of taking risks and striving for excellence. Its original version, the personal motto of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, also Duke of Burgundy and King of Spain (as Carlos I), was "Plus oultre" in French. The motto was adopted some decades after the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus.
Around above, the legend of the ruling monarch: FELIPE VI REY DE ESPAÑA (Felipe the Sixth, King of Spain), interrupted by the circle of the sun which has four latent images seen at different angles.
Around below, the precious metal content of the coin: 1 ONZA 999,9 ORO (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold). |
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