Goa 1763 12 xerafins Fr-1469
This specimen was lot 30106 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $881.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Portuguese Goa. Joseph I gold 12 Xerafins 1763 XF45 NGC. An attractive offering from this tiny Portuguese region located on the west coast of India, with beautifully-aged, golden color. A somewhat crudely made series, this selection was struck slightly off-center, but does present a fully-rendered date. Most appealing, and a popular coin among collectors of this province." 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 1763, 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: 4.86-4.90 g, gold, 20 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-1469, KM 142, Gomes-67.02.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [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.
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