This coin is rather simple but very quaint and attractive...it might have something to do with the very cute girl...but I like the real basic design as well...I just like it.
Drusus,the female figure is representing the fact that Portugal is a republic in the same way that Marianne (or Madame Republique) represents France. It is a nice coin though. Aidan.
I agree Drusus, Simple and an attractive coin. Some of the British Caribbean Island coins I like are also simple but very sharp. Something about the design elements that give the coin a lot of character. Thanks for sharing. BTW: your comment about basic design made me laugh and think of a comment a coworker made the other day. I bring coins into work on occasion to try to show others why I find collecting so appealing. Thursday I brought in a nice Morgan and an ASE with matte finish. This one Engineer stated that the Obverse was too plain. I told him that the proofs look really nice with that mirror finish. I wouldn't change a thing...
I think what I like about it is that they JUST have the portrait there with no inscriptions...They arent trying to stuff 15 phrases and bit of information on the coin all around the image and on the edge...they dont seem to feel the need to fill up all the space. I like how the designer seemed to decide that the reverse would be just for inscription and no picture...and the obverse would only be for the picture...dividing the coin in contrast to a lot of coins I see that seem to put a picture of both sides and inscriptions on both side...I know that some other coins do this as well...but just not quite a well...again...maybe its just the real pleasing portrait. I find it hard to believe that they thought the Morgan was plain...I think its far from it.