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500 Réis - João IV Countermarked 400 Réis
| Issuer | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Year | 1663 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Hammered |
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| Obverse description | Central field displays the Portuguese royal arms — a shield bearing five escutcheons in saltire, each charged with five bezants, surmounted by a crown and flanked by castles — set within a beaded inner circle. The denomination numeral '500' appears to the right of the shield within the field. The circular Latin legend surrounding the inner circle reads: IOANNES IIII DEI GRATIA PORTVGAL ET ALG REX, separated by rosette stops. The coin retains the original design of the host Portuguese 400 Réis struck under King João IV, with a reeded outer border. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | IOANNES·IIII·DEI·GRATIA·PORTVGAL·ET·ALG·REX |
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| Additional information |
In 1663, Portuguese colonial authorities in Brazil ordered existing 500 réis coins countermarked and revalued downward to 400 réis — a direct response to the chronic shortage of small-denomination silver circulating in the colony and the persistent problem of clipping. The countermark was applied to coins already in circulation, meaning examples show varying degrees of wear beneath the stamp itself.
João IV had died in 1656, so this revaluation was carried out under Afonso VI. The use of João IV's coinage as the host was simply a matter of what was available in circulation at the time.