Today's coin is a Cruzado Novo from 1815.
The coin was minted during the reign of Dom John VI (13 May 1767 - 10 March 1826), who was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1816 to 1825.One of the last representatives of absolute monarchy in Europe, John VI lived during a turbulent period and his reign never saw a lasting peace. Throughout his period of rule, major powers, such as Spain, France and Great Britain, continually intervened in Portuguese affairs. Forced to flee to Brazil when troops of the Emperor Napoleon I invaded Portugal. His marriage was no less conflictual, as his wife Carlota Joaquina of Spain repeatedly conspired against her husband in favor of personal interests or those of her native Spain. John lost Brazil when his son Pedro declared independence, and his other son Miguel (later Dom Miguel I of Portugal) led a rebellion that sought to depose him. According to recent scholarly research, his death may well have been caused by arsenic poisoning. Notwithstanding these tribulations John left a lasting mark, especially in Brazil, where he helped to create numerous institutions and services that laid a foundation for national autonomy, and many historians consider him to be a true mastermind of the modern Brazilian state.
The coin has several interesting tidbits.
For one while the coin says 400 Reals, its value was actually 480 Reals. In 1688 the price of the gold and the silver rose 20%. But no one changed the amounts on the die, therefore, by the Law of 04AUG1688, the value of the silver and gold coins was also increased 20%, during ~150 years the coinage amount remained unchanged with the circulating coins having a value ~20% above the face value.
This coin also circulated in the US, being on par with the same value as the 8 Reales (from Spain).
The coins were used as
Trade dollars.
Even though the coin is dated 1815 and King Joao didn't take the crown until 1816, he was officially the head of state from 1799 as his mother (who was queen) suffered from mental illness, including extreme depression and random screaming. The causes are probably related to the incestous matter of the kingdom as uncle's married their nieces and vice/versa.
The coin.
The slab.
Issuer: Portugal
Regent: Joćo (1799-1816)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: 1802-1816
Value: 1 Cruzado Novo = 480 Reis
Currency: Real (mechanical coinage, 1678-1835)
Composition: Silver (.917)
Weight: 15 g
Diameter: 36 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Coin alignment
Demonetized: Yes
References:KM331
Mintage (1815): 5,097,250
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Posted 12/12/2022 3:18 pm
