Goa 1654 xerafim
This specimen was lot 56430 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "INDIA. Portuguese India. Diu. Xerafim, 1654. Goa Mint. Joao IV. NGC VF Details--Chopmarked, Tooled. Ex: UBS 55 (09/2002), lot # 3877." 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 1650, Portuguese holdings were limited to Bacaim, Chaul, Cochin, Diu, Damao and Goa. Each had a mint which struck hammered coinage until the 1860's. This type is listed in the SCWC for 1650-59, 1664, 1668-83. The SCWC lists this under Goa, not Diu.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.44 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM-73 var. (G-A); Gomes-27.02.
- 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]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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