By Robertson W. Shinnick, World Numismatist

In searching large bulk lots of world coins, you're eventually bound to come across some Spanish peseta coinage with the portrait of Francisco Franco on them.  One peculiarity to many of these coins is that they carry a "secret" date.  The date that is readily apparent to the eye (below the bust) is not necessarily the date the coin was struck- it is more of a "series" date, like you will find on United States paper money. 

The actual date is hidden in tiny numerals within a six-pointed star (or pair of stars) on the reverse of the coin. The six-pointed star denotes Madrid.  The first, usually more obvious, date is the date of authorization, while the tinier date hidden inside the star(s) is the actual date of issue.  This was done not only on Franco's coinage, but on many (though not all) Spanish coins struck between 1868 and 1982.  Most of the time you will need magnification to see the tiny, hidden date within the star(s).

Sometimes the "secret" (actual) date will be in two different stars, as on the aluminum-bronze one-peseta coins of Franco and King Juan Carlos.  For example, a 1947 (56) peseta will have the authorization date of 1947 below the bust, but will also have "19" hidden in one star on the reverse and "56" in the other.  Other denominations, like the 5-peseta piece shown below, have only one star on the reverse and will show just the last two digits of the "secret" date. 

Sometimes the "secret date" coins were specially-issued commemoratives.  For example, in December of 1951, to commemorate the Second National Numismatic Exposition, there were special 1 and 5-peseta coins struck with an "E" replacing the "19" on the lower star, thus creating the scarce 1947 and 1949 (E51) varieties.  Another special event was the 1958 Barcelona Exposition.  The 5, 25, and 50-pesetas pieces struck to commemorate this event will have a "BA" where the star would normally be on the reverse.  If your coin has this mark, it's a good find, as these commemoratives are worth more than most regular issues.  So get out that loupe or magnifying glass and do a little "stargazing"!  :-)

Below: a 1957 (60) Spanish five-pesetas coin,

with "series" date of 1957 below the bust of Franco

on the obverse, and actual date (60) within the star on the reverse.

(Gee, eBay, these "Guides" are a great idea, but the "insert picture"

option really stinks... or should I say "shrinks"!  Speaking of tiny...!)