Brazil 1720-R 4000 reis
This gold 4000 réis was minted at the Rio mint for Brazil during 1707-27, along with gold 1000 and 2000 réis. The commonest Brazilian gold coin of the early eighteenth century was the 4000 réis, called a "moidore" in English speaking countries. The specimen was lot 20660 in Heritage sale 3009 (Chicago, April 2010), where it sold for $4,887.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "João V gold 4000 Reis 1720R, XF-AU with considerable original mint luster and appealing old-time rose-gold patina in the legends. Very scarce type in this select grade." Bahia also minted this type; its issues are quite a bit scarcer. This denomination was reduced to 8.06 grams in 1749 and it is likely many of the earlier specimens were melted.
Recorded mintage: 293,983.
Specification: 10.75 g, 0.917 fine gold, .317 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 102.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Amato, Claudio, and Irlei S. Neves, Livro das Moedas do Brasil, 14a ed. Sao Paulo, 2015.
- 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.
- Pimentel, Alvaro Mendes, Catálogo de Moedas Brasileiras de 1643 a 1962, 9a Ed., Rio de Janeiro, 1962.
- Sáez Salgado, Javier, Moedas de Ouro de Portugal, 1185-1889, Lisbon, Numisma Leiloes, 2001.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3009: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2010.
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