A Collection Of Coins From Portugal

We can wait.

Today's coin is a 1926 50 Centavos in Aluminum-Bronze. This coin is a 3 year issue with the 1925 being very rare. The 1 Escudo was also issued in the same composition.

While I thought Aluminum-Bronze coins are rare, the current crop of 10, 20 and 50 cent Euro coins are Aluminum-Bronze (called Nordic Gold).

Aluminium bronzes are valued for their higher strength and corrosion resistance as compared to other bronze alloys. These alloys are tarnish-resistant and show low rates of corrosion in atmospheric conditions, low oxidation rates at high temperatures, and low reactivity with sulfurous compounds and other exhaust products of combustion. They are also resistant to corrosion in sea water.

The coin.




This is the first ICG slabbed coin I purchased, it was 50% cheaper than an NGC and looked nicer.





Issuer: Portugal
Period: First Republic (1910-1926)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: 1924-1926
Value: 50 Centavos (0.50 PTE)
Currency: Escudo (1911-2001)
Composition: Aluminium-bronze
Weight: 4 g
Diameter: 22.8 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Medal alignment
Demonetized: Yes
References: KM575
Mintage: 4,340,000

As always, great.

Thanks all. I still have a coin and a note that was shipped from Portugal out in the Postal Service somewhere, but you get another coin today.

Today's coin is 500 Reis and 1908 was the last year that the coin was issued of Carlos I (as he was assassinated in 1908). In 1908 you also have the coin of his son Manuel II released. I was able to get both (well the coin of Manuel II is in NY so a few more days).

Today you get the coin of the father. Its very shiny and for a while I thought it was a proof. These barely circulated as the reis were pulled from circulation in 1914.





Issuer: Portugal
King Carlos I (1889-1908)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: 1891-1908
Value: 500 Reis
Currency: Real (decimalized, 1835-1910)
Composition: Silver (.917)
Weight: 12.5 g
Diameter: 30.59 mm
Thickness: 2.04 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Coin alignment
Demonetized: Yes
References: KM535
Mintage: 1,840,000

I'm not in to banknotes, but loving the 500 reis coin.

In addition to the 500 Reis from Carlos 1, I have the 500 Reis from Manuel II who reigned for only a few months.

Carlos 1 was assassinated on February 1, 1908 along with his oldest son. His youngest son Manuel survived and became king at 18 years. He was only king for 20 months until October 5, 1910 when he was deposed in a revolution.

Manuel II lived out his exile in London. On his death he was allowed to be buried in the Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls", a 17th-century church and monastery in the city of Lisbon.

Manuel II's death has an element of foul play, he died from suffocation by an abnormal swelling in the vocal folds of his larynx. But the day before he was in excellent health and was playing tennis. Earlier in the year an intruder was discovered on the grounds of Fulwell Park (Manuel's home). The intruder was arrested, and confirmed by Scotland Yard as being a prominent member of a Portuguese republican terrorist group known as the Carbonária and who was subsequently deported to Lisbon. To date the identity of the intruder has not been confirmed. Questions remain as to the reason for the man's intrusion.

The coin.




The slab.





Issuer: Portugal
King Manuel II (1908-1910)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: 1908-1909
Value: 500 Reis
Currency: Real (decimalized, 1835-1910)
Composition: Silver (.917)
Weight: 12.5 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Coin alignment
Demonetized: Yes
References: KM547
Mintage (1908): 2,500,000

Great coins, great notes, great story, thanks hfjacinto.
When I just want an escape, this is my favourite topic.