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20 Réis - José I Lisbon Mint
| Issuer | Casa da Moeda de Lisboa |
|---|---|
| Year | 1752-1776 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 20 Réis |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | The central field displays the Roman numeral denomination XX in large characters, flanked on either side by a quintet of pellets arranged in a quincunx pattern, symbolising the Portuguese royal coat of arms bezants. Surmounting the denomination is an elaborate Portuguese royal crown rendered in fine detail, with arched bands, orb finial, and foliate decoration. The entire central device is enclosed within a beaded inner circle. The surrounding legend, reading clockwise from upper right, gives the king's name and royal titles in Latin. The coin's broad flan and bold relief are characteristic of the milled copper coinage of King José I. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | JOSEPHUS·I·D·G·P·ET·BRASIL·REX XX ·1774· (Translation: José I, by the Grace of God, King of Portugal and Brazil.) |
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| Additional information |
José I's copper coinage was restructured early in his reign partly in response to chronic shortages of small change that had plagued Portuguese commerce for decades. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake — which killed tens of thousands and leveled much of the capital — interrupted production at the Casa da Moeda severely enough that output gaps are visible across the emission years. Coins struck in the immediate aftermath show measurable inconsistencies in flan preparation, a direct consequence of the mint rebuilding under Pombal's reconstruction program.
The four Bentes varieties across this date range reflect subtle die differences accumulated over two decades of continuous production rather than intentional design changes.