Portugal (1458-81)-P espadim
This specimen was lot 74438 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[1] noted, "PORTUGAL. Espadim, ND (1438-81)-P. Porto Mint. Alfonso V. PCGS AU-50. A sharply detailed and pleasingly toned example, well-produced for the issue." This type, struck 1458-81, commemorates the conquest of Ceuta in Morocco in 1415. Espadim means small sword and refers to the sword on the obverse; there are also half espadims. Alfonso died in 1481, aged 49 years. The Portuguese held Ceuta until the union with Spain in 1580; Ceuta remained Spanish when Portugal regained her independence in 1640.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.8 g, 0.218 fine silver, 23 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Gomes-21.05.
- 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.
Link to:
- Portugal (1438-81)-P cotrim = ⅚ real branco
- Portugal (1458-81) 1/2 espadim
- Portugal (1457-81) cruzado Fr-9
- Portugal (1472-81)-L chinfrao = 12 réis brancos
- Coins and currency dated 1458