640 Réis - Pedro II Narrow Crown, Bahia Mint

The "Narrow Crown" distinction on Bahia's 640 Réis output separates a specific die period from the broader run of colonial milled coinage, and collectors working the Bentes reference will find the ten-variety spread (74.01–74.10) reflects genuine punch and die differences rather than cataloger pedantry. Bahia's mint operated under chronic silver supply pressure throughout the 1690s, dependent on bullion flows from the interior that were unpredictable at best.

Portugal's 1688 monetary reform mandated the higher .917 fineness standard across its colonial mints, and Bahia came to compliance later than Lisbon would have preferred.