Damao 1755 10 xerafins Fr-1446
The first specimen was lot 1314 in Steve Album sale 16 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2013), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "DAMAO: José I, 1750-1777, AV são tomé (10 xerafins) crowned arms/cross with date at sides, crude Fine, RRR." The second specimen was lot 52337 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[2] noted, "INDIA. Portuguese India. Goa. 10 Xerafims, 1755. Goa Mint. Jose I. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. An EXTREMELY RARE early issue under Jose, this piece parallels the standard of Jose's predecessor, Joao V. Lightly cleaned and somewhat crude, but with a very clear date bisected by the cross of St. Thomas." 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 gold são tomé is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.7 g, gold, 20 mm diameter; the first specimen 5.71 g, the second specimen 5.78 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-1446, Gomes-66.02, KM-17.
- 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.
- 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]Album, Stephen. Stephen Album Auction 16, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2013.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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