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50 Réis Casa da Moeda
| Issuer | Casa da Moeda de Portugal |
|---|---|
| Year | 1891 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | P#86 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The entire field is covered by a dense engine-turned guilloche pattern printed in red, composed of interlocking geometric lozenges and scrollwork forming a continuous lathe-work underprint. A horizontal rectangular panel at centre bears the word BRONZE in bold serif capitals against a dotted ground, while the abbreviated denomination 50 R.S. is repeated vertically in large serif characters within white-ground panels at the left and right margins. |
| Reverse lettering | 50 RS. BRONZE 50 RS. (Translation: 50 réis Bronze 50 réis) |
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| Comments |
Portugal's 1891 financial crisis — triggered by a balance-of-payments collapse and the suspension of gold convertibility in May of that year — forced the government into emergency small-denomination paper. Coin shortages had left daily transactions nearly impossible, and the Casa da Moeda produced these fractional notes in-house as a stopgap. Printing and issuing authority were the same institution, which was unusual even by the standards of the day.
The 50 Réis was among the lowest denominations issued under these emergency conditions. Notes of this type circulated hard and survived poorly — the thin paper and small format meant heavy wear was almost inevitable within months of release.