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If you have peseta at home, you may be sitting on a fortune

For more than a century, the peseta was the currency of Spain, until the euro was introduced in January 2002. Despite the fact that pesetas were able to be exchanged at the Bank of Spain until relatively recently, specifically until June 30th, 2021, they were no longer used to pay on February 28th, the same year in which they coexisted. It is important to note that the value of 100 old pesetas is equivalent to 0.60 euros today, and as a result, they are no longer exchangeable for euros. However, they are still quite expensive.

It has been discovered that a significant number of Spaniards chose to conserve a few pesetas as a memento, a decision that could now be worth thousands of euros. On the numismatic market, which is specifically designed for coin collectors, there are specific coins that can be purchased for over 150,000 euros due to their rarity, age, or exclusivity.

In reality, there are numerous items that continue to possess substantial economic value. A 100-peseta coin entered circulation during the provisional administration that emerged after Isabel II’s fall in 1870. One coin, for example, which is 36 millimetres in diameter and weighs 32.25 grammes of gold, is adorned with an effigy, while the reverse displays the official coat of arms of the monarchy. If you own such a coin, you should inspect it, as you could potentially receive up to 150,000 euros for it.

Coins up to one million

The 1937 one-peseta coin is another of the most valuable pieces, as it is the first of this denomination to be crafted from brass rather than precious metal. This coin, which was referred to as “the grape pesetas,” was produced in 50 million quantities. Consequently, coin collectors may perceive it as less valuable. Nevertheless, it has been sold for as much as €250,000, despite the fact that its distribution was delayed than that of a more common coin:

It is remarkable that certain pesetas are also sold for millions. They are regarded as one-of-a-kind sculptures and have been valued at $1 million. This is the case with a commemorative 25-peseta coin from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, which is a unique and singular piece due to its unique silver finish. The coin has a flaw in its finish, which makes it a unique and valuable item that can garner up to a million euros on eBay. Nevertheless, its value was further augmented by the fact that it was never placed into circulation and could only be acquired at institutions.

More prevalent but of lesser value

An additional illustration is a 1946 coin that was among the first to exhibit Franco’s portrait on the obverse. However, its uniqueness is derived from its dissimilarity to the portrait on the coins that were introduced into circulation a year later, in 1947. Consequently, it is exceedingly challenging to locate and counterfeit. It is currently available for purchase at a price of 3,000 euros. It achieved its greatest value at a 2011 auction held by Martí Hervera & Soler y Llach, where it was sold for 7,400 euros.

Additionally, there is a 1944 aluminium and copper coin from the Franco era that lacks the dictator’s star and is valued at up to 1,000 euros, contingent upon its condition.

You do not need to travel far to locate coin collectors and purchasers; as we have observed, coins are even sold on eBay. Nevertheless, the prices of these items are subject to significant fluctuations based on their unique characteristics, as there are no established prices in this market. To prevent falling victim to counterfeit coins, it is advisable to purchase and sell coins through official channels.

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Alicante adds 15 temporary firefighters, increasing its total staff to 175

The Fire Prevention, Extinction, and Rescue Service has added new personnel. On Monday, May 5th, the Alicante City Council bolstered the force’s workforce by hiring 15 temporary firefighters to fill vacant positions that have arisen as a result of personnel transfers and retirements. Among these demands are ongoing negotiations between the Human Resources Department and the unions to resolve the improvements requested by over 70% of the firefighters, which are grouped around a platform. These demands encompassed the appointment of individuals to vacant positions.

At present, municipal sources have reported that the basic ranks of the municipal Speis now consist of 145 firefighters, as well as 30 commanding officers, including corporals, sergeants, non-commissioned officers, officers, and the chief of staff, for a total of 175 members. Julio Calero, the Councillor for Security, emphasised that the Speis staff is currently being reinforced, and the vehicle fleet, material resources of the firefighters, and parks and facilities of the corps are being improved. He also said that these additions are in addition to the 47 officers added since 2017, as reported by the same sources.

According to the public notice, Calero stated that Speis will receive two new vehicles this week: a diving van and an FSV model for traffic accident coverage. These vehicles are part of the fleet development and renewal plan, which includes the acquisition of 10 new first-response vehicles. This would also satisfy another of the firefighters’ enquiries.

However, the security councillor emphasises that the city council has allocated nearly 10 million euros to the Speis facilities over the past five years, including investments in vehicles, equipment, and renovations. Additionally, the Speis facilities have secured a maintenance contract for their vehicle fleet for the 2023-2027 period, with a budget of 360,000 euros, a first in the organisation’s history.

Meanwhile, Manuel Villar and Cristina Cutanda, the co-spokespersons for the governing team, said during their weekly public appearance, where they share updates on the agreements approved by the Local Council, that the investigation into the incidents from the March meeting, where a group of firefighters interrupted the session, is still ongoing. They did not say if the legal report has been finished yet. They did not specify whether the issuance of the legal report had already been completed. The report will detail the behaviour of those responsible for the aggression that, according to reports, occurred against one of the Local Police officers who participated in the eviction of the protesters. In this regard, Mayor Luis Barcala stated on Monday that the file was still pending, but he did not specify whether it was an informative file or a disciplinary one. Simultaneously, he acknowledged that negotiations with the unions are ongoing to prevent any incidents that could compromise the security measures for the Nit de la Cremà as a result of a shortage of firefighters. He did not provide an indication of the outcome of that case.

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Four people arrested in Alicante province for storing and exchanging child pornography

In 21 Spanish provinces, 35 individuals have been arrested by National Police officers for the storage and exchange of child pornography via instant messaging. Citizens’ collaboration sparked an investigation that revealed one of the detainees had sexually assaulted two young females. In addition to the individuals who were apprehended, seven individuals have been investigated for using services to store child pornography, and a total of 112 storage devices have been seized in the 42 searches that have been conducted.

The investigation was initiated in response to an email spearheaded by a citizen that warned of a potential link that contained images of child sexual exploitation. Information was obtained regarding the individuals who purportedly downloaded the images detected in the link as a result of the collaboration between companies that specialise in mass cloud storage and internal data cross-referencing with law enforcement.

42 provinces in Spain have been identified

35 individuals were apprehended in connection with the storage and exchange of illicit substances in various Spanish provinces, including Madrid (5), Alicante (4), Barcelona (4), Castellón (3), Valencia (3), Málaga (2), Salamanca (1), Asturias (1), Cáceres (1), La Rioja (1), Pontevedra (1), Huelva (1), León (1), Cádiz (1), Albacete (1), Vizcaya (1), Navarra (1), Las Palmas (1), Seville (1), and Orense (1). Additionally, seven additional individuals are under investigation.

One of the suspects had up to 14 cloud storage accounts, and a search of his residence revealed a substantial number of illicit images on a variety of devices. Five of the arrests were made in Madrid. More than 10 gigabytes of child pornography were stored in a cloud storage account and an instant messaging app by another suspect, who was apprehended in Albacete.

Investigators identified two instances of sexual assault against juveniles.

It was discovered that one of the individuals involved in the incident, who was apprehended in Salamanca, was allegedly involved in the sexual assault of two juvenile girls. The officers’ investigation also disclosed that one of the individuals arrested in the province of Castellón was using a video game console to store images of child pornography.

During a search of a detainee’s residence in the province of Vizcaya, it was discovered that he had 50 GB of cloud storage, of which 48 GB was used to preserve images of child sexual assaults.

Two video game consoles, 39 hard drives, 46 memory cards, 27 USB drives, 58 mobile phones, 16 laptops, and 6 desktop computers—as well as documentation pertinent to the investigation— were seized in a total of 42 investigations.

Collaboration between investigators from the Central Cybercrime Unit and service providers has been essential in the fight against child pornography trafficking.

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Torrevieja May Fair 2025 will be located in Antonio Soria Park and will have 15 booths

The Torrevieja May Fair 2025 is scheduled to take place from May 15th to 18th at the Antonio Soria Park grounds. The event will feature 15 booths, a large stage, and stalls that can accommodate 600 people. Additionally, there will be children’s shows, dance academy exhibitions, a large rociero parade, and the eagerly anticipated rociero mass on Sunday, which will conclude the fair.

This renowned event, which showcases Andalusian folklore, music, and gastronomy, has been designated a Provincial Tourist Interest and is now firmly established as one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the local festival calendar. Residents and visitors to Torrevieja can participate in a comprehensive program of musical performances, family-friendly activities, equestrian displays, and a fairground atmosphere in the booths that have been erected throughout the grounds for a period of four days.

FAIR PROGRAMMING 2025

Thursday 15th
21:00 Opening ceremony of the May Fair 2025, with a performance of the Torrevieja national anthem by the UMT band. Fireworks will follow. –
21:30 Performance by the QK Dance Academy .
22:30 Performance by the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood Choir.

Friday 16th
21:00 Performance by the Arantxa Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Torrevieja Municipal Dance School
23:00 Performance by Aire de Lo Ferro

Saturday 17th
Noon Celebration of the traditional Misa Rociera (Rociera Mass) in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, sung by the choir of the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood. Afterward, a parade of horsemen and carriages will take place to the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Itinerary: Depart from the Church of the Immaculate Conception and walk up Bazán Street, Delfina Viudes Street until reaching the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Once there, the traditional horse parade will begin.
21:00 Performance by the Soul Dance Studio Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Paya’s Dance School.
23:00 Performance by the group Siempre Así.

Sunday 18th
12:30 – 17:00 Horse-drawn carriage ride around the fairgrounds
20:30 Performance by the Mery Dance Academy
21:30 Performance by the Brisa del Sur Choir
22:00 Salve and closing ceremony of the 2025 Sevillanas fair sung by the choirs Brisa del Sur, Alba Rociera, and the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood.

Full programme and schedule at: www.torrevieja.es