FERDINAND AND ISABELLA

by Kahuure Virimuje

After the Spanish kingdoms were united under Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castle and soon after the conquest of Granada, the Spanish monetary was reformed. Gold coin known as Venetian ducat and copper coin containing a silver trace known as billion in Spanish was the monetary system that the Spaniards brought to the new world.

Spanish gold coins discovered at Oranjemund shipwreck

The great Spanish leaders of whose image are displayed on the Spanish gold coins discovered at Oranjemund shipwreck, along with others valuable coins from Portugal and many others which are yet to be identified. These are part of the numerous objects discovered in 2008 at the Namibian coast. Known as Boom-Jesus is a Portuguese ship carrying tones of valuable artifacts on board which cease the journey at the Namibian coast when the ship hit a very big rock. The loaded ship sank together with all its cargo and probably some of the crew. Ironically, the hostile sea gave a home to the ship and preserved it for about 500 years. The most distinct to the world was the vast amounts of gold coins from the shipwreck. Most of the coins were found in one area underneath the planks of the ship. Gold coins mainly from Portugal and Spain captured the imagination of the world. The ship left Portugal sometime in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, and destined most likely for India for merchandise and trade.

division of America between Spanish and Portuguese

The relationship Portugal had with Spain raises so many questions.

The Spanish gold coins with their leaders stamp printed on raises many question as to why and how they were found in the Portuguese ship. To what extent the two European countries had a relationship? The Spanish relation with the Portuguese gives bright view of the monetary circulation during the 15^th century and beyond. The monetary system of Spain diverted and took on a distinction characters of its own which is passed on to the independent nations that followed after. The Spanish gold coins are a symbol of value and quality of monetary system on the European most countries during 15 century. Because of rare monetary systems in place during that time, it was a fortune to handle quality coins of that great magnitude and quality. These coins from the Oranjemund shipwreck excavated in 2008 were totalled 2266 were by 84.60% were the Spanish gold coins. The question of why were the Spanish coins dominated the total amount of coins found in the ship remain a major task. Perhaps it is because of the trading system which highly considered the Spanish monetary system the most valuable than any other. This might slightly tell the world how dependant and Portuguese government were. The circulation of the Spanish money had great impact in the South America.

Most of the Spanish gold coins found in the Oranjemund Shipwreck belong to Isabella and Ferdinand period (1495-1504). The marital union of Isabella of castle and Ferdinand of Aragon resulted in the unification of Spain as a country.

map of Spain during Ferdinand and Isabella reign

King Ferdinand of Spain born in 1452, a son of Juan II of Aragon by his second wife, Juana Enriquez. He got married to Queen Isabella of castle born in 1451. He succeeded his father and reign as the Spanish king. Ferdinand a catholic religion, a leader by morale and benevolent towards his people took over the reigning of Spain during hard and challenging time. Spain was a country with mixed believes at a time. King Ferdinand marriage with the much admired Isabella of castle was materially furthered by Jews and Maranos on the supposition of other tribes as a Jew descent. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella the catholic king and Queen of Spain also who were cousins is credited with having brought stability to the region that came under their rule. Their marriage ceremony took place in 1469 by than Ferdinand had already succeeded his father as king of Aragon. Ferdinand was known for being one of the most skillful diplomats in era which soared some great diplomats. Through his expertise in the field he manages to organize the states in a manner that served their purpose most effectively. Under their rule Spain a well known catholic dominant country was able to end the Muslim religion the victory which is known as the reconquest.