Portugal (1)679 40 reis
This specimen was lot 73197 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $1,020. The catalog description[1] noted, "PORTUGAL. 2 Vintems (40 Reis), "679" (1679). Lisbon Mint. Pedro as Prince Regent. PCGS VF-35. This charming silver minor is among the first milled coins produced in Portugal. This dated type is quite RARE, with the present coin being the sole example certified at PCGS. A well-struck piece, all details remain clear and legible. The surfaces are free of damage or cleaning, exhibiting a pleasing gray tone. A wholesome piece with great eye appeal and collectability; sure to see spirited bidding as a result." Pedro ousted his mentally deficient brother in a coup d'etat in 1668 and kept him as a prisoner until his death in 1683. This type is depicted in the SCWC with a line drawing, not a photo. It also comes without date and is fairly common thus. We don't know why the die sinkers felt they had room for three digits of the date but not four.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-118; Gomes-41.01.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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