FERNANDO VII- MEXICO CITY, EL COMERCIO

SURIA, Tomas: Spain/Mexico, 1809, Silver, 57x44 mm
Obv: Bust of Fernando VII (r), with a sash and wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece     AMADO FERNANDO VII. EL COMERCIO DE N.E. DERRAMARA GUSTOSO SU SANGRE EN TU DEFENSA. (Beloved Fernando VII, the Commerce of New Spain Will Gladly Shed Their Blood in Your Defense.)
Rev: Standing figures of Mars and Mercury, the Gods of War and Commerce    .LA INDUSTRIA Y EL UALOR SE UNIRAN EN DEFENSA DEL MONARCA.
Exergue:  .TOMAS SURIA EN. MEXICO AGOSTO DE 1809
Signed:  TOMAS SURIA
Ref: Grove i, 139/F-24a; Prince d'Essling, 199/2404; not found in Herrera

Ferdinand VII, King of Spain (1784-1833) was the eldest son of Charles IV, King of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. As prince he felt excluded from government and sought the support of Napoleon, prompting his arrest for treason by his father. In 1808 the revolt of Aranjuez forced Charles IV to abdicate in favor of Ferdinand. However, this portion of his reign was to be short lived as Napoleon began the Peninsular War, which toppled Ferdinand, installed Joseph Bonaparte in power, and put Ferdinand in prison in France. In 1812 Spain proclaimed a liberal constitution, which Ferdinand quickly abolished upon his restoration. Liberal opposition organized by secret societies, such as the Carbonari, forced him to reinstate the constitution. But with the help of French troops, Ferdinand crushed the liberals and again revoked the constitution. During his reign, Spain lost all of her American possessions. When Ferdinand died, his daughter Isabella II was proclaimed Queen. This was challenged by the conservatives who supported the claim of Ferdinand's brother Don Carlo, prompting a civil war in Spain.
This medal, on which the ring for suspension has been removed, was issued shortly after his ascension to the throne.

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