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1454, Spain, Castile & Leon, John II. Medieval Blanca Coin. VG-F.

Denomination: Blanca Ruler: John II (Juan II.) Condition: Lightly chipped, minor corrosion, otherwise VG-F. Mint Place: Uncertain (the mint letter is there, but not recognizable - possibly B, for Burgos) Mint Period: 1406-1454 AD Material: Bronze Diameter: 23mm Weight: 1.73gm

Obverse: Lion rampant within sixfoil. Annulets in outer fields. Legend: + IOHANES : DEI : GRACIA : REX Reverse: Arms of Castile (triple towered castle) above mint initial (B?). All within sixfoil. Annulets in outer fields. Legend: + IOHANES : DEI : GRACIA : REX

Authenticity Unconditionally guaranteed.

John II (6 March 1405 – 20 July 1454) was King of Castile from 1406 to 1454.

He was the son of Henry III of Castile and his wife Catherine of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster by Constance of Castile, daughter of King Peter of Castile.

He succeeded his father on 25 December 1406, at the age of a year and ten months, and united in his person the claims of Peter the Cruel and of Henry II. His mother Catherine and his uncle, Ferdinand, were co-regents during his minority. When Ferdinand died in 1416, his mother was sole regent until she died as well, in 1418.

It was one of the many misfortunes of Castile that the long reign of John II—forty-nine years—should have been granted to one of the least capable of its kings. John was amiable, weak, and dependent on those about him. He had no taste except for ornament and no serious interest except in amusements such as verse-making, hunting, and tournaments.

He was entirely under the influence of his favourite, Álvaro de Luna, until his second wife, Isabella of Portugal, obtained control of his feeble will. At her instigation, he dismissed his faithful and able favorite, an act which is said to have caused him much remorse. He died on 20 July 1454, at Valladolid.

John II of Castile declared the Valladolid laws, which restricted the social activity of Jews. Among the most notable of the provisions were; outlining that Jews must wear distinctive clothes and banned them from holding administrative positions.

In 1431 John placed Yusuf IV on the throne of the Moorish kingdom of Granada, in exchange for tribute and vassal status to Castile. This exchange is depicted in the short ballad the Romance of Abenamar.