Diu 1628 bazaruco
This specimen was lot 2706 in Steve Album Auction 55 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2026), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "DIU: Filipe III, 1621-1640, AE bazaruco, 1628, also in the name of Antonio Telles, as duke, struck 1626-1628; porous surfaces but a nice strike with full date, F-VF, R." This type was struck 1626-28, SCWC comments, "Antonio Telles de Menezes, issuer of this token was captain of Diu and later Governor of all Portuguese India (1639-1640). Many varieties exist in the legends and shield." One xerafim was 375 bazaruco. 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 the nineteenth century, Portuguese holdings were limited to Diu, Damao and Goa. Each had a mint which struck hammered coinage until the 1860's.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7.29 g, copper, this specimen 7.16 g.
Catalog reference: KM-Tn1, Gomes-01.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Hanbing Feng, Auction 55, featuring Selections from the Swamperbob Gurney Collection of Cap & Ray 8 Reales, the Kenneth A. Bovenkamp Collection of Ottoman Coins and the 1914 Collection of World Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2026.
Link to: