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Ceitil - Manuel I Group 3 - Castle with high wall
| Issuer | Kingdom of Portugal |
|---|---|
| Year | 1495-1521 |
| 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 | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Hammered |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central device consisting of a Portuguese royal shield, quartered with the quinas (five escutcheons in cross formation) of Portugal, set within a beaded or linear border. A cross pattée surmounts the shield, and a partial Latin legend encircles the periphery, though the irregular flan and hammered technique result in portions of the legend being partially visible or off-flan. The overall style is consistent with the crude but distinctive hammered copper coinage produced under Manuel I, with the design filling the available field in a bold, flat relief. |
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| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
The ceitil was Portugal's lowest denomination during the Age of Discovery, and Manuel I inherited both the coin type and the Atlantic trade networks that made it indispensable. Named after Ceuta — the North African garrison Portugal held from 1415 — these pieces circulated heavily in overseas posts where hard currency of any value was needed for petty transactions. The "high wall" castle variant within this group reflects a die evolution across Manuel's long reign rather than a deliberate policy change.
Copper ceitis were struck in enormous quantities and spent accordingly. Survivors in any decent state are genuinely scarce.