Goa (1521-57) pardao Fr-1451
The first specimen was lot 30105 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $4,465. The catalog description[1] noted, "Portuguese Goa. João III gold Pardau 360 Reais ND (1521-57) AU53 NGC. A choice example of this rare, early gold coinage for the Portuguese enclave of Goa in India. The obverse depicts crowned arms with three fleur de lis, OI to the left and three pellets to the right, while the reverse features St. Thomas seated to the right between an (inverted) S and T. Extremely choice for this crudely-made issue, most interesting as such." The second specimen was lot 30930 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $10,800. The catalog description[2] noted, "India: Portuguese Colony - Cochin. João III gold "Sao Tome de Cochin" Pardau ND (1521-1557) AU58 PCGS, Cochin mint. Obv. Crowned arms dividing D-O/I. Rev. St. Thomas de Cochin seated right dividing S-T. An extremely rare type, almost universally found crudely struck, though this superb example shows remarkably strong striking detail. Only the second example of this Cochin issue that we can reference--the other coming from the Dr. Lawrence Adams Collection--and by far the finer of the two." 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: 2.73-3.39 g, gold, 20 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Gomes-12.04, Fr-1451.
- 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.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
- [2]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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