Early Franco-Spanish Pattern

The early Franco-Spanish pattern goes back to the sixteenth century and had connections with France as well as Spain. Prodigious quantities of playing cards were shipped from Lyon and Thiers into the Spanish peninsular during the 16th, 17th & 18th centuries. Many French manufacturers even emigrated or settled in Spain.

Distinguishing features include the cavalier of coins seen from behind; the king of coins holds a small axe; the ace of swords, and often the ace of clubs and one or two other numeral cards, are accompanied by a naked child; the ‘sota’ of cups might display a heraldic lion and the ace of coins features a Spanish heraldic arms. The central coin of the five often shows portraits of the Catholic Monarchs or else a single portrait. The pattern is now extinct.

• See also: Aluette • Spanish National pattern►