Portugal 1812 40 reis
This type, a forty réis or pataco was struck 1811-15 and is scarce in nice condition. It is the first copper coin of Portugal to feature the portrait of the ruler. These heavy bronze coins received much abuse and are normally found in low grade. João was in 1812 still Prince Regent for his mother, queen Maria I, not mounting the throne until her death in 1816. In 1812, he was still enjoying the tropical delights of Rio de Janiero and resisting the cortés' demand that he return. The second specimen was lot 25506 in Heritage sale 3026 (Long Beach, October 2013), where it sold for $1,880. The catalog description[1] noted, "João VI Prince Regent 40 Reis 1812, MS63 BN NGC, a superb example of this thick copper type with glossy brown surfaces and very sharp design features. Rare in this superior quality and certainly among the finest extant."
Recorded mintage: 1,384,545 (all varieties).
Specification: 38.2 g, bronze, 36.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 345.1, Gomes-09.02 (continuous obverse legend) or Gomes-10.02 (space between PORT and ET, shown here).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3026, World & Ancient Coins, featuring the RLM Collection, Part Two, the Nogales Collection and the Goetz Medals Die Archive, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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