Ceitil - Manuel I Group 3 - Castle with high wall

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.