Ceitil - Manuel I Group 2 - Castle with split outside wall

The ceitil was among the most debased coins in regular Portuguese circulation — a denomination so low it was practically synonymous with near-worthlessness, yet struck in enormous quantities to service the cash needs of Lisbon's working poor and the Atlantic trade posts. Manuel I inherited the type from João II and continued production with minimal interruption throughout his reign, a period when Portugal's attention and silver were being funneled into the Estado da Índia. Copper was what remained for domestic small change.

This Group 2 variety is distinguished by the split in the outside castle wall, a die characteristic that Magro treats as a discrete classificatory group rather than a simple deterioration artifact.