800 Réis - João V Vila Rica Mint

The Vila Rica mint opened in 1725 specifically to process gold coming out of the Minas Gerais interior, cutting out the long and loss-prone journey to coastal smelting houses. João V had resisted establishing inland mints for years, fearing they would facilitate fraud and contraband — his concern proved largely justified, as the mint became a focal point of the 1720 Minas conspiracy and remained under heavy Crown scrutiny throughout its operation.

The 800 réis was the smallest gold denomination struck at Vila Rica. Dies were hand-cut locally, and alignment inconsistencies between issues are the norm rather than the exception across the Bentes-catalogued varieties.