Portugal (1698) 250 reis

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Stack's Bowers 2023 NYINC sale, lot 40396
SB0123-40396r.jpg
Heritage sale 61526, lot 21085
H61526-21085r.jpg
Heritage sale 61526, lot 21088
H61526-21088r.jpg
Stack's Bowers 2026 NYINC sale, lot 41031
SB126-41031r.jpg

The first specimen was lot 40396 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "PORTUGAL. 250 Reis, ND (1698). Lisbon Mint. Alfonso VI. PCGS Genuine--Scratch, AU Details. Issued by decree of 14 June 1698. Countermark: Bi-facial legend overstrike. Applied to an undated Lisbon, Portugal 200 Reis (1/2 Cruzado) of Afonso VI (KM-77) with previous crown 2S0 within shaped indent by decree of 22 March 1663." The second specimen was lot 21085 in Heritage sale 61526 (Dallas, TX, July 2025), where it sold for $600. The catalog description[2] noted,

"Portugal: Pedro II Counterstamped 250 Reis ND (1688) XF45 NGC. Host: Portugal Joao IV 200 Reis (1/2 Cruzado) from the Lisbon mint. Counterstamp: Brazil 1663 Crowned 250 (AU Standard). A curious piece where one can appreciate the "new lettering" done twice, mistakenly using the 500 reis dies as seen by the larger, off-flan letters. A visionary, Pedro II modernized the minting process in Portugal by experimenting with cast planchets, different types of presses, and other minting techniques. What he did with the old Cruzados and 1/2 Cruzados of Alfonso VI (his brother) and Joao IV (his father) was an attempt to transform a hammered coin into a milled one, respecting each type by minting the new legends with the respective name of the king who first struck them."

The third specimen was lot 21088 in the same sale, where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[2] noted,

"Portugal: Rare Evora Survivor. Pedro II Counterstamped 250 Reis ND (1688) VF35 NGC, Host: Portugal Joao IV 200 Reis (1/2 Cruzado) from the Evora mint. Counterstamp: Brazil 1663 Crowned 250 (XF Standard)."

The fourth specimen was lot 41031 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[3] noted, "BRAZIL. Brazil - Portugal - Portugal. 250 Reis, ND (1698). Pedro II. NGC EF-40. Issued by decree of 14 June 1698. Countermark: Legend overstrike in the name of Joao IV. Applied to an undated 200 Reis (1/2 Cruzado) Porto Mint, Portugal of Joao IV with previous crown 250 Reis countermark by decree of 22 March 1663. This nicely preserved and very attractive example displays rich mottled patina with plenty remaining luster in the protected areas of the legend. The overstrike is bold, obliterating all but minor traces of the original legend and partially obscures the right side of the previous crowned 250 countermark on the reverse. A wholesome and original looking piece with a pleasing appearance and good eye appeal." This double counterstamping of coins is confusing to collectors today and must have exasperated merchants and traders of the time.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, the second specimen 11.23 g. the third specimen 10.63 g.

Catalog reference: KM-434.4; Gomes-P2.101.01. The second specimen KM 435, Gomes-105.01, LMB-99. The third specimen Gomes-109.02 (Rare), LMB-100 (Rare). The fourth specimen is Gomes-P2.108.01; LDMB-P101.

Sources:

  • 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, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
  • [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2025 July 13 Spotlight: Brazil World Coins Showcase Auction #61526, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2025.
  • [3]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.

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