Goa 1787 1/2 pardao

from the Stack's Bowers 2019 NYINC sale, lot 43299

This specimen was lot 43299 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $312. The catalog description^[1] noted, "INDIA. Portuguese India. Goa. 1/2 Pardao, 1787. Maria I (1777-99). PCGS EF-45 Gold Shield. SCARCE type. Bold portrait, toned and attractive. Ex: Archer M. Huntington Collection, Ticket #8727." The Portuguese were the first European power to make direct contact with India. They concentrated on trade but were not above piracy or political meddling if the opportunity arose. They conquered or dominated a good part of India in the sixteenth century but gradually had to yield to others, especially the British. By 1787, Portuguese holdings were limited to Diu, Damao and Goa. Each had a mint which struck hammered coinage until the 1860's. KM 199 was struck 1787-94. The half pardao was one quarter rupia and all the types listed for the eighteenth century (KM 110, KM 113, KM 133, KM 158, KM 181, KM 182, KM 188, KM 189, KM 199, KM 203, KM 206) are very scarce.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 2.80-2.95 g, 0.917 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-199; Gomes-29.01.

Source:

• 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.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.

Link to:

• 1784 ½ pardao = 150 réis
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• 1787 rupia
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• Coins and currency dated 1787
• return to coins of India, Portuguese