Spain · UNESCO World Heritage Series, 12th issue, Old Town of Toledo

Issue date10 Mar 2021

Total mintage4,000,000

EU maximum4,000,000

Editions5

Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted

InscriptionESPAÑA / 2021

DesignerAlfonso Morales Muñoz

mintFábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre / · Real Casa de la Moneda, Madrid

Issue occasion

The coin is dedicated to Toledo as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The design shows an exterior view of the Puerta del Sol and an element of the wall of the “Sinagoga del Tránsito”; both buildings were constructed in the 14th century in the Mudejar style. “ESPAÑA” appears on the left, with the mintmark at the top right.

The design

Shown are an exterior view of the Puerta del Sol and a wall element from the “Sinagoga del Tránsito”. Both buildings were constructed in the 14th century in the Mudejar style. On the left are the word “ESPAÑA” and the year of issue “2021”. The mint mark appears in the upper right.

The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer coin ring.

Background on the topic

Toledo is situated on a hill above the Tajo and was a political and religious centre of the Iberian Peninsula in various periods. Under the Visigoths, the city served as a seat of power; after the Islamic conquest, it became part of al-Andalus. In 1085, King Alfons VI of León and Castile captured Toledo. Later, the city was at times a residence of the Castilian court and was closely associated with the rule of Charles V. The historic cityscape therefore brings together Roman, Visigothic, Islamic, Jewish and Christian traces. The Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

The term Mudéjar refers to an architectural and artistic tradition that developed in the Christian-ruled areas of Spain. It adopted forms and techniques of Islamic architecture, including horseshoe arches, brickwork, geometric decoration, wooden ceilings and ornamental stucco. Muslim craftsmen who lived under new rule after the Christian conquest also contributed to it. Toledo is one of the places where this combination of different building traditions is particularly clearly recognisable.

The Puerta del Sol is a fortified city gate within Toledo’s historic walls. Its passageways, towers and battlements served both defensive and representative purposes. Its present name derives from a sun symbol that was later affixed to the gate.

The synagogue was built at the instigation of Samuel ha-Levi, a high-ranking official at the court of King Peter I of Castile. Its richly decorated prayer hall reflects the Jewish community of Toledo at the time and, at the same time, the cultural exchange in medieval Castile. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, the building was used by Christians. Today, it houses the Sephardic Museum.

The issue forms part of a Spanish coin series that has presented UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country since 2010. Toledo was therefore selected not because of a single anniversary, but as another part of this ongoing series.