Brazil's shift to aluminium for this denomination in 1956 was driven by chronic metal shortages and the inflationary pressures accompanying Juscelino Kubitschek's aggressive industrialization program — the same economic turbulence that financed Brasília's construction by essentially printing money. Aluminium coinage was cheap to produce and light enough to mint at volume, but it wore and corroded quickly in circulation.
The series was retired by 1961 as inflation rendered the 20 centavos denomination nearly worthless in daily transactions.
Brazil's shift to aluminium for this denomination in 1956 was driven by chronic metal shortages and the inflationary pressures accompanying Juscelino Kubitschek's aggressive industrialization program — the same economic turbulence that financed Brasília's construction by essentially printing money. Aluminium coinage was cheap to produce and light enough to mint at volume, but it wore and corroded quickly in circulation.
The series was retired by 1961 as inflation rendered the 20 centavos denomination nearly worthless in daily transactions.