Isabella I of Castile, better known as Isabella the Catholic, was born in the town of Madrigal de las Altas Torres (Ávila) on April 22, 1451 in the palace of her father, John II of Castile, wedded to Isabella of Portugal.

With slight prospects at birth of ascending to the throne of Castile, the declaration of the illegitimacy of her niece, Joanna "la Beltraneja", made Isabella heiress to her stepbrother, Henry IV, though she had to win the civil war of 1475-1479 in order to occupy the throne. Her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon brought the reestablishment of order and monarchical authority to the two Castiles. Spain became a strong, dynamic and expansive nation that was to witness important events such as the conquest of Granada and of the greater Canary Islands, and the discovery of the New World in 1492.

These historical milestones universalized the figure of the Queen. She died in Medina del Campo on November 26, 1504. To commemorate the fifth centenary of her death, the Spanish Royal Mint has approved, minted and circulated a series of proof quality collector coins, and a 12-Euro coin, dedicated to the commemoration of the event.

For further information visit the following links:

• Cáceres County Council: Fifth Centenary of Isabella the Catholic. Archives in honor of Isabella the Catholic on the Fourth centenary of her Death in the Revista de Extremadura (1904).
• Archbishopric of Valladolid: official page Fifth Centenary of the death of Queen Isabella the Catholic (link in spanish).
• Medina del Campo: celebration for the Fifth centenary of the death of Isabella the Catholic in Medina del Campo (link in spanish).
• Madrigal de las Altas Torres: Fifth Centenary of the death of Isabella the Catholic (link in spanish).