In 1898 the Portuguese said that they did in 1498: Portugal 1000 Reis 1898 400th Anniversary of the Discovery of India Silver, 37mm, 24.97gm The coin design features a square cross, known as the "Cross of Jerusalem". This cross was the emblem of the Portugese military religious order, the Knights of Christ, founded in 1317 by King Dinis I of Portugal, who needed experienced soldiers. He simply changed their name of an older military order, the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem. Also known as the Knights Templar or Templars. The legend "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" is "in this sign you will conquer", which was a slogan used by the Roman Emperor Constantine referring to a vision of the Christian Cross assisting his army in a battle in AD 312.
Makes you want to laugh, huh? India, the subcontinent that was able to hold off Alexander the Great who controlled half the known world, was "discovered" almost 2000 years later by a country that was a backwater afterthought at the time. I think I will leave Minnesota now and go "discover" Germany. Maybe my ancestors will strike a coin about it in a few hundred years.....
A part of Indian coast belonged to Portugueses until the 1961 (de facto) and until the 1974 (de jure). It was "Portugal India". I have one coin of this colony.
Can’t beat a good coin story, it’s so fascinating! I wish I had this coin, truly a piece of history to own. Guess the coin, in a decent condition, would be valued really high!!
You should know better, Chris. It's like the Hotel California: you can check out, but you can never leave.
I believe what they had discovered was the sea route to India, by proving it was possible to sail around Africa. Significant because it bypassed those pesky Muslims that controlled the land routes and charged high taxes to caravans carrying the trade goods to and from Europe.
I really like Portuguese coins and have been quietly amassing a collection. Many of them have high book values but I notice most sell for less than Krause says they are worth. However, I was bidding on the highly elusive 1935 1 escudo in an auction that ends today, but it got too rich for my blood.
Here's the coin from the 500th anniversary. Also one commemorating Vasco De Gama, who led the voyage.
