Portugal 1744 800 reis
This type was struck in Lisbon 1723-50 and is often catalogued as a half escudo even tho it preceded the introduction of the Spanish half escudo by some fifteen years and contained about 10% more gold. Despite the low value listed in the SCWC, this little coin is quite scarce and one should expect to pay substantially over the estimate on the infrequent occasions it comes up for sale. There is a very similar issue from Brazil, equally scarce. This specimen was lot 34476 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "PORTUGAL. 1/2 Escudo, 1744. Lisbon Mint. Joao V. NGC MS-60. A rather SCARCE and seldom encountered fractional gold denomination, with the elite level of preservation of the present specimen augmenting its appeal that much further. Indeed, NGC has certified just one finer, an MS-63, with this example being the only other observed there in the uncirculated tier. A great opportunity for a difficult coin."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.78 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-92; KM-218.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Sáez Salgado, Javier, Moedas de Ouro de Portugal, 1185-1889, Lisbon, Numisma Leiloes, 2001.
- 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 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to:
- 1743 800 réis = ½ escudo
- 1744 400 réis = cruzado novo
- 1745 1000 réis = quartinho
- 1746 800 réis = ½ escudo
- Brazil 1750-B 800 reis
- Coins and currency dated 1744