Brazil 1820-R 40 reis
The first specimen was lot 1088 in Sincona sale 59 (Zürich, October 2019), where it sold for 130 CHF (about US$158 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Brazil, João VI. 1816-1822. 40 Reis 1820 R, Rio de Janeiro. Vorzüglich-FDC. Überdurchschnittliche Erhaltung. (Brazil, John VI, 1816-22, forty réis of 1820, Rio mint. Extremely fine-uncirculated, Extraordinary condition.)"
This type was struck at Bahia 1820-23 and Rio 1821-22. Large numbers were minted until 1831, well after independence. Counterfeits are numerous, particularly of the Bahia issues, which were cruder than Rio issues. By the 1830's, so many had been issued that the public began to refuse them. In 1835, the government called them in and countermarked them to half their former value to increase their acceptance. Private and counterfeit countermarks also exist, making this series confusing but fascinating to collect.
Recorded mintage: 4,583,000.
Specification: 13.6 g, copper, 36 mm diameter, the first specimen 13.99 g.
Catalog reference: KM 319.1, Gomes 7.03.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Auction 59: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals; Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2019.
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