Portuguese coins.

She's nice to look at

I got a coin from Portugal this last weekend. I personally like Portugal's Liberty Head facing left.

Portugal
4 Centavo
Date: 1917
KM# 566
Material: Copper-Nickel
Mintage: 4,961,000

 

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Carlos I (1889-1908).
500 reis 1892, silver .917, weight - 12,5 g., size - 30 mm, mintage - 4716000 pcs. Engraver: Valancio Alves.

 

5 escudos 1947, silver . 650, weight - 7 g., size - 25 mm, thickness - 1,5 mm, mintage - 2419590 pcs. Coins of this type were released at 1923-34, 1937, 1940, 1942-43, 1945-48 and 1951.

 

50 reis 1900, copper-nickel, weight - 2,5 g., size - 18 mm, mintage - 8000000 pcs. Rules: king Carlos I the Martyr (1889-1908). Single release only.

 

King Louis I (1861-1889).
X reis 1885, bronze, weight - 5,8 g., size - 25 mm, thickness - 1,5 mm, mintage - 8100000 pcs. Coins of this type were released at 1882-1886. Engraver: Frederico Augusto de Campos.

 

King Louis I (1861-1889).
500 reis 1886, silver .917, weight - 12,5 g., size - 30 mm, mintage - 300000 pcs. Coins of this type were released at 1863-68, 1870-72, 187577, 1879 and 1886-89 Engraver: Frederico Augusto de Campos.

 

Coin commemorating Portugal's Discovery of India in 1498:


Portugal 1000 Reis 1898
400th Anniversary of the Discovery of India
Silver, 37mm, 24.97gm

Well, somebody had to.

 

Yeah, "Discovery of ..." is usually a matter of perspective. What Vasco da Gama and his fleet successfully explored was the sea route from Europe to India.

Christian

 

The history of Portugal was quite tumultuous in the early years of the 19th Century. Forced into exile by Napoleon in 1807, João VI created a new kingdom, ruled from Rio de Janeiro in 1816. The kingdom changed again when João returned to Lisbon and Brazil became a separate empire in 1822. Upon his death in 1826, João's two sons fought over control of Portugal with Pedro succeeding in securing the throne for his daughter, Maria II, in 1834. Also in 1834, 8 reales were countermarked and authorized for circulation at a value of 870 reis.



I've posted some additional history and photos over at NGC's collectors-society under the title "When the Colony becomes the Ruler"

 

King Louis I (1861-1889).
V reis 1882, bronze, weight - 2,8 g., size - 20,5 mm, thickness - 1,2 mm, mintage - 5200000 pcs. Coins of this type were released at 1882-1886. Engraver: Frederico Augusto de Campos.

 

Republic.
2 centavos 1918, bronze, weight - 5 g., size - 23 mm, thickness - 1,8 mm, mintage - 4295000 pcs. Engraver: Alves do Rego. Such coins were released.

 

5 centavos 1921, bronze, weight - 8 g., size - 25 mm, mintage - 5916000 pcs. Engraver: Alves do Rego. Such coins were released at 1920-22.

 

2.50 escudos 1943, silver .650, weight - 3,5 g., size - 20,5 vv, thickness - 1,4 vv, mintage - 8302000 pcs. Engravers: Joao da Silva & Arnaldo Fragoso. Such coins were released at 1932-33, 1937, 1940, 1942-48 and 1951. Demonetized at 1969.

 

I love Portuguese coins also, have a bunch of the silver ones with sailing ship, and one big copper or bronze 20 reis like yours.

 

Bought a bag of foreign at a flea market and played with this one. It looked to have some verdigris so I thought I would see what an overnight soak in baking soda solution would do.

before soak

Overnight soak

Lightly brushed with a brass brush.
Sorry about the focus of the last one.

 

Some guys on here would be aghast at any such cleaning efforts! I want to know how to kill and remove that green copper disease.

 

I was more freaked out about it until I tried to "clean" some "uncleaned" ancient coins. After that experience, I am a bit bolder (sometimes too bold). First, if the coin is pretty pristine - uncirculated or proof - proceed VERY cautiously. If the coin is pretty worn, it is kind of hard to hurt it too much if you go slowly. A brass brush will not scratch (at least I don't see it) copper, brass or bronze coins...be a little more cautious with silver. Be careful of harsh industrial cleaning agents (Brasso) and remember you can always do a little more, but can never do less. Oh, BTW for the green stuff there is always @BadThad and his Verdicare.

 

Thanks for the tip