Portugal 1799 200 reis
This type was struck 1786-99. Despite the conspicuous "200" stamped on it, it was valued at 240 réis. It comes with high crown (shown here) and low crown varieties. Despite the large mintage, Gomes notes this as a better date. This type is roughly the same size as the contemporary Brazilian 160 réis. 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: 36,099, a slightly better date.
Specification: 7.3 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 307, Gomes-16.08.
- 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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