João V came to the throne in 1706 inheriting a Portuguese economy increasingly flooded with Brazilian gold, and the Moeda denomination — valued at 1,000 réis — was essentially a product of that bonanza. The five mints striking this type simultaneously reflect the administrative pressure of moving gold from colony to metropole and back again; Rio de Janeiro and Bahia were processing raw colonial metal, while Lisbon and Porto served domestic circulation.
Minas Gerais strikes from this period are particularly notable — the Minas mint was only formally established in 1724, meaning examples bearing that assay are confined to the final years of this type's run.
João V came to the throne in 1706 inheriting a Portuguese economy increasingly flooded with Brazilian gold, and the Moeda denomination — valued at 1,000 réis — was essentially a product of that bonanza. The five mints striking this type simultaneously reflect the administrative pressure of moving gold from colony to metropole and back again; Rio de Janeiro and Bahia were processing raw colonial metal, while Lisbon and Porto served domestic circulation.
Minas Gerais strikes from this period are particularly notable — the Minas mint was only formally established in 1724, meaning examples bearing that assay are confined to the final years of this type's run.