Somebody had to discover India

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by willieboyd2, Sep 22, 2013.

  1. willieboyd2

    willieboyd2 First Class Poster

    In 1898 the Portuguese said that they did in 1498:

    [​IMG]

    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.

    :)
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Interesting coin and information.
     
  4. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    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..... :)
     
    TIF likes this.
  5. Siberian Man

    Siberian Man Senior Member

    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.
     

    Attached Files:

    • 1.jpg
      1.jpg
      File size:
      185.7 KB
      Views:
      118
    • 2.jpg
      2.jpg
      File size:
      211.4 KB
      Views:
      136
    chrsmat71 likes this.
  6. Robt Gossard

    Robt Gossard New Member

    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!!
     
  7. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    You should know better, Chris. It's like the Hotel California: you can check out, but you can never leave.
     
  8. rdwarrior

    rdwarrior Junior Member

    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.
     
    Hiddendragon likes this.
  9. Hiddendragon

    Hiddendragon World coin collector

    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.
     
  10. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    Im not into modern coins but the info and coin are definitely interesting.
     
  11. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    This is one of my favorite Portugal coins. Yep, that is toning on the 1891 200 Reis.

    IMG_1470.jpg IMG_1469.jpg
     
    TIF, Derick and Siberian Man like this.
  12. Hiddendragon

    Hiddendragon World coin collector

    Here's the coin from the 500th anniversary. Also one commemorating Vasco De Gama, who led the voyage. 1998 portugal 200 escudos de gama.jpg 1998 portugal 200 escudos india.jpg
     
Write your reply...
Uploads are not available.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page