1868 AD., Spain, Isabel II, Barcelona mint, 5 Centimos, cf. KM 635.1, changed to caricature portrait.
Spain, Isabel II, Barcelona mint, assayer Oeschger Mesdach & Co., 1868 AD.,
5 Centimos (32 mm / 11,00 g), copper,
Obv.: ISABEL II POR LA GRACIA DE DIOS Y LA CONST. / * 1868 * , her laureate head facing r., encircled by dots, date between two 8-pointed stars, a second strike with a partial die created a caricature portrait.
Rev.: REINA DE LAS ESPANAS / {OM} / * 5 CENTIMOS DE ESCUDO * , crowned shield of arms between laurel branches; beneath, {OM} -monogram, 8-pointed star at either side.
cf. KM 635.1 ; cf. Cayón 16783 ; cf. Calicó 625 ; cf. Fuster/Guerra 227 .
L. FORRER, "BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF MEDALLISTS ...":
MESDACH, LOUIS (Dutch}. One of the Directors of the important die-sinking establishments of OESCHGER, MESDACH & C later ESCHGER, GHESQUIERE & C ie , at Ter Kiele (Holland) and Biache (Pas-de-Calais, France).
At one time, this firm owned private mints in Spain, and between circ. 1865-1890, issued medals as well as various coinages in commission for foreign governments. In 1868 the artist Alphee Dubois was in their employ, and during a year's residence at Barcelona, modelled for them the Spanish bronze
coinage of the Provisional government (1868- 1 870), the dies for which were engraved by Luiz Marchionni. The 10, 5,2 and i Centimes bear on one side the monogram OM for Oescher, Mesdach & Cie (1868, 69 and 1070).