Damao 1740 xerafim
This specimen was lot 75180 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $1,560. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Portuguese India. Damao. Xerafim, 1740. Damao Mint. Joao V. NGC VF-30. A RARE one year emittance of the Portuguese coastal colony Damao, present day Daman. Somewhat similar to the contemporaneous Goa issue, but bearing a slightly different coat of arms and no legend on the opposite side. Bright and well preserved, it is the cataloger's opinion that this piece has been conservatively graded by NGC, and it is also the only example listed in the census. An excellent offering for Portuguese Indian experts who understand the great quality and value presented by this special piece." The Portuguese were the first European power to make direct contact with India. They concentrated on trade but were not above piracy or political meddling if the opportunity arose. They conquered or dominated a good part of India in the sixteenth century but gradually had to yield to others, especially the British. By 1806, Portuguese holdings were limited to Diu, Damao and Goa. Each had a mint which struck hammered coinage until the 1860's. This coin probably passed for a rupee.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 11.8 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 12.98 g.
Catalog reference: KM-unlisted; Gomes-86.01.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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]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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