Brazil 1754-R 600 reis

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Heritage sale 3009, lot 20429
image courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries
Stack's Bowers November 2022 Collectors Choice sale, lot 71373
SB1122-71373r.jpg

This silver 600 réis was minted at the Rio mint for Brazil in 1754-70. This coin would have traded in the 18th century at about one-third of a Spanish dollar. The first specimen was lot 20429 in Heritage sale 3009 (Chicago, April 2010). The catalog description[1] noted, "Jose I 600 Reis 1754R, toned AVF, lightly cleaned. Popular "J" series." The second specimen was lot 71373 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $432. The catalog description[2] noted, "BRAZIL. 320 Reis, ND (1809). Rio de Janeiro Mint. Joao as Prince Regent. PCGS VF-20; Countermark: EF Details. Countermarked on a 600 Reis of Jose I minted in Rio de Janeiro in 1754 (KM-187). This intriguing example shows two shield countermarks, one on each side of the host coin. While the obverse countermark is somewhat unevenly struck, the one on the reverse is satisfyingly strong. Aside from the flatness necessarily caused by the counterstamping, this well-circulated piece retains great details including a visible host coin mintmark. The surfaces are pleasingly toned to a rich gray with hints of warm luster. A charming example with much individuality. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Louis Collins, 1969." This type is scarce; the contemporary Bahia issue of 1752-68 (KM 179) is much rarer.

The catalog[1] commented on the "J-series" as follows: "During the reign of José I (1750-1777), with gold flowing out of the mines in the province of Minas Gerais, coins of the so-called 'J series' were struck at the Rio (R) and Bahia (B) mints for circulation in Minas. The purpose of these coins, with odd denominations of 75, 150, 300 and 600 Réis, was to facilitate the gold trade in the province. Gold value was determined in multiples of 150 Réis and corresponded to 4.5 grains (75 Réis), 9 grains (150 Réis), 18 grains (300 réis) and so on. Towards the end of the 18th century, as gold in the Minas mines diminished, the coins of the J-series were countermarked with a 'mini-shield' elevating its value to the standard 80, 160, 320, 640 Réis. Subsequently, in the first decades of the 19th century, the coins of the J series were restruck all together. Coins of this type are some of the most charismatic and challenging series in the vast realm of Brazilian numismatics, and finding a coin in higher than VF condition is extremely difficult."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 18.11 g, 0.917 fine silver, .534 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM 187, Russo 273; with counterstamp: KM-300; Gomes-111.01.

Source:

  • Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
  • Pimentel, Alvaro Mendes, Catálogo de Moedas Brasileiras de 1643 a 1962, 9a Ed., Rio de Janeiro, 1962.
  • 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.
  • [1]Tucker, Warren, and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3009: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2010.
  • [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.

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