Brazil 1828-R 80 reis
This specimen was lot 23351 in Heritage sale 3024 (Chicago, April 2013), where it sold for $1,762.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Pedro I 80 Reis 1828-R, MS65 BN NGC, a marvelous example of this large copper type with incredibly sharp details and rich brown surfaces. One of the finest copper coins of this era from Brazil that we have seen." This specimen was struck at the Rio mint in Brazil in 1828. The minting of copper eighty réis began in 1811 and continued until 1833, well after independence. The eighty réis was the same size as that of the old forty réis. This type was struck at Bahia 1824-31, Sao Paulo 1825-29, Cuiaba 1826-30, Goias 1828-31 and Rio 1823-31. 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. The second specimen was lot 8623 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $60. The catalog description[2] noted, "BRAZIL. Empire. 40 Reis, ND (1835). Rio de Janeiro Mint. Pedro I. NGC VF-30 Brown; Countermark: AU Standard. Issued by National Law # 54 of 6 October 1835. Raised "40" with shaded background within solid circular border applied to the obverse an 1828-R Empire of Brazil 80 Reis of Pedro I. The countermark boldly applied and clear on a moderately worn host exhibiting even wear displaying attractive rich chocolate brown patina." Counterfeit countermarks exist on genuine coins, which may be the case here.
Recorded mintage: 26,524,000.
Specification: 28.69 g, copper, 40 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 366.1, the second specimen KM-444.1; LDMB-C618; Bentes-553.07.
- Amato, Claudio, and Irlei S. Neves, Livro das Moedas do Brasil, 14a ed. Sao Paulo, 2015.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3024, featuring the Kairos and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collections, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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