Portugal 1799 10 reis
In the old, predecimal system, 20 réis = 1 vintém, 24 vinténs = 1 cruzado and 1600 réis = 1 escudo. Portuguese copper coins of the 1700's turn up occasionally but are generally in poor condition after several centuries of circulation. This type, struck in Lisbon 1797 and 1799, is no exception. João's mother, queen regnant Maria, began showing signs of insanity on the death of her husband and uncle Pedro in 1786. João became heir to the throne on the death of his brother José in 1788. When Maria was declared incurably insane in 1792, João reluctantly took over the government, not taking the formal title of Prince Regent until 1799.
Recorded mintage: 219,729.
Specification: 12.7 g, copper, 36 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 309, Gomes 03.04.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
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