The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) was created in Madrid at the initiative of Juan Manuel Fernandez Pacheco (1650-1725), the Marquis of Villena, on August 3rd, 1713. Sometime later, on October 3rd, 1714, its constitution was officially approved by a royal warrant from King Philip V.

During the course of its three hundred years of history the fortunes of the RAE have been governed by twenty-nine directors in all.

To mark the Third Centenary of the Royal Spanish Academy, the Spanish Royal Mint has issued a new collector coin bearing lettering and motifs dedicated to this important anniversary.

The reverse depicts the portico of the building that houses the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Academy. At right, the Emblem of the Royal Spanish Academy, and above, an architectonic ornament in the shape of a palmette.

The obverse portrays the likeness of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I.