960 Réis - João Prince Regent Counterstanped Mexico 8 Reales, KM#105

発行体 State of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
年号 1808
種類 Standard circulation coin
額面
通貨
材質 Silver (.917)
重量 27.07 g
直径 39 mm
厚さ
形状 Round
製造技法 Counterstamped
向き
彫刻師
流通終了年
参考文献 KM#245
表面の説明 Circular counterstamp with reeeded border containing crowned arms and value. On host coin Mexico 8 Reales KM# 105.
表面の文字体系 Latin
表面の銘文 960
裏面の説明 Circular counterstamp with reeded border containing armillary sphere. On reverse of host coin.
裏面の文字体系
裏面の銘文
鋳造所
鋳造数 ND (1808)
Numisquare ID 3811540135
追加情報

Historical Context: The 1808 960 Réis marks a critical juncture in Luso-Brazilian history. Following Napoleon's invasion, the Portuguese Royal Family, led by Prince Regent João, relocated to Brazil. This necessitated a stable, high-denomination currency. Instead of new minting, foreign silver 8 Reales, primarily Mexican, were counterstamped to 960 Réis. This pragmatic act affirmed Portuguese monetary sovereignty in its new imperial capital, ensuring economic continuity during a period of profound geopolitical shift.

Artistry: The aesthetic significance of this issue lies in the functional artistry of the counterstamp. The host coin, a Mexican 8 Reales (KM#245), typically featured a Spanish monarch's bust and the Pillars of Hercules. The Brazilian counterstamp (KM#105) usually presents a crowned "J" or "JR" monogram and the value "960" within a cartouche, often applied over the original bust. This concise mark served as a powerful declaration of the coin's revalidated legal tender status and value under the Portuguese crown.

Technical/Grading: The technical qualities of the 960 Réis are inherently tied to its counterstamped nature. The host Mexican 8 Reales, with its .917 silver purity, 27.07 gram weight, and 39 mm diameter, provides a robust canvas. For grading, clarity and completeness of the counterstamp are paramount. High-points include the crown's details, the monogram's serifs, and the "960" numerals. Counterstamps often exhibit varying strike depths, sometimes causing ghosting. The underlying wear of the host coin significantly impacts overall appeal, with sharply impressed counterstamps on well-preserved hosts being highly prized.

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