Brazil (1679) 320 reis
This specimen was lot 34213 in Heritage sale 3135 (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $11,590. The catalog description[1] noted, "Rare Brazilian Counterstamp. Alfonso VI Counterstamped 320 Reis ND (1679) VG10 NGC. Crowned 320 Counterstamp (VF Standard) on a Spanish Cob 4 Reales. A rarity from one of the earliest official coinages for Brazil, this survivor weaves a balanced strike and toned surfaces. The single example recorded by NGC." There is not much left of the undertype on this example, so we don't know if it's Spanish, Mexican or Bolivian. The auctioneers wisely refrained from speculating. There also a counterstamped 640 réis (KM 53), 160 réis (KM 51) and eighty réis (KM 50), all rare. The regime opened mints in the 1690's, obviating the need for counterstamps.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: host coin 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.77 g.
Catalog reference: KM 52, LMB-90 (RRR).
- Amato, Claudio, and Irlei S. Neves, Livro das Moedas do Brasil, 14a ed. Sao Paulo, 2015.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Pimentel, Alvaro Mendes, Catálogo de Moedas Brasileiras de 1643 a 1962, 9a Ed., Rio de Janeiro, 1962.
- Alberto Gomes and Francisco Antonio Magro, Moedas Portuguesas e do Território Que Hoje é Portugal: Catálogo das Moedas Cunhadas para o Continentes e Ilhas Adjacentes, para os Territórios do Ultramar e Grão-Mestres Portugueses da Ordem de Malta, 6ª Edição, Lisbon: Associação Numismática de Portugal, 2013.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2026 September 1 - 5 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3135, featuring The Vila Rica Collection of Brazilian Gold Coins, Part II, and The Grundy Collection of Latin American and Spanish Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2026.
Link to: