20 Réis - José I Lisbon Mint

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.