Catalog
600 Réis - Afonso VI Countermarked Bolivia 8 Reales
| Issuer | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Year | 1663 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse retains the original design of the Spanish colonial 8 Reales host coin struck at the Potosí mint, featuring the quartered arms of Castile and León — castles and lions arranged in the four quadrants of a cross — surmounted by a crown, with the mintmark 'P' and assayer's initial visible in the field. Partial legends in Latin are present around the periphery of the irregular flan, though largely incomplete due to the cob striking method. The overall surface is heavily worn and shows the characteristic irregular edge of hammered macuquina coinage. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Portugal's chronic shortage of large silver coinage in Brazil led the crown to authorize countermarking foreign specie already circulating in the colony — rather than attempt transatlantic shipment of minted coin. Bolivian cob reales, struck at Potosí from Cerro Rico silver, were abundant in Brazilian trade and became the logical target. The 1663 decree under Afonso VI ordered these macuква-style pieces stamped and revalued to integrate them into the Portuguese colonial monetary system.
KM#19.2 distinguishes the crowned countermark variant applied specifically during this authorization. The host coin's original Potosí assayer marks remain visible beneath.