Portrait of Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, 1902

This plaque, designed by Austrian Henri Kautsch, was issued at the beginning of the reign of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, in 1902. The presence of a cartouche yet to be engraved on the reverse makes it seem plausible that this was an honorary medal intended to be awarded to deserving individuals during the reign of Alfonso XIII. Alfono XIII reigned until 1931, when republican electoral victory forced him to abdicate the Spanish throne. During the Spanish civil war, he was Francoist. Although he regained his civil rights and property, he did not return to Spain. He died in Rome in 1941. Henry Kautsch exhibited this plaque at the Salon of the Medal during the 1910 World Fair in Brussels.