Set Description
Brazil 960 Reis Bahia Mint, colonial period.
Set Goals
Collect only Bahia set (Rio and Minas coins are not allowed)
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View Coin
| 1810B REGENES |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1810B "REGENES"
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NGC AU 53
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View Coin
| 1810B |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1810B
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NGC MS 62
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BRAZIL 960R 1810B BC-11 S&R: 3B REV 9 IA:P395 (MC)
S/O: BOLIVIA 8R PTS1806PJ C.IIII KM#73
The coin from 1810 Brazil appears to be in very good condition for its age. The details on both the obverse and reverse sides are well-preserved, showing clear and legible inscriptions and designs. The central shield and crown on the obverse are sharply defined, and the surrounding text, "JOANNES D.G. PORT. ET ALG. REX." and "REGENS BRAS. D.", is easily readable. The year "1810" and denomination are also clearly visible.
The edges of the coin show minimal wear and retain their detailed serration, suggesting the coin has not been heavily circulated. The overall patina and color of the coin suggest it has been well-preserved, with a typical appearance for silver coins of this period, showing some toning that is often seen in aged silver.
The reverse side of this 1810 Brazilian coin also demonstrates a very good condition, consistent with a MS62 grading. The design, featuring a complex emblem with a sphere and cross, is well-defined. The various segments within the sphere that represent the globe are distinct, and the central cross is crisp and clear. The inscription "SUBQ. SIGN. NATA STAB." is legible around the perimeter, which adds to its numismatic appeal.
The MS62 grade indicates that the coin has no wear from circulation but may exhibit some contact marks and slight blemishes. The edges and overall surface still show the original mint luster, though there might be slight disturbances in the luster due to handling or storage.
Such a coin would be considered desirable by collectors for its sharp details and historical significance, especially given its excellent preservation and the visible quality of the stamping and minting process.
OVERSTRICKE BASE COIN
The Bolivia 8 Reales coin marked "PTS 1806 PJ C.IIII KM#73" is particularly interesting because it is an overstrike, a common practice in the colonial mints of the Spanish Empire. Here's a detailed breakdown considering this aspect:
Overstrike Details: An overstrike occurs when a coin is struck over an existing coin, which could be due to a shortage of blank planchets or an effort to revalidate old or foreign coins with a new sovereign's image. For coins from the Potosí mint, this practice was not uncommon given the logistical challenges of securing sufficient coin blanks in remote colonial territories. The overstriking was also a method to assert the current monarch's authority over previously circulated coins.
Monarch - Charles IV: The "C.IIII" represents Carolus IV (Charles IV), the King of Spain during whose reign this coin was produced. His reign from 1788 to 1808 was marked by significant political and economic turmoil, including instability in the Spanish colonies.
Minting Information: Minted in 1806 at the Potosí mint, denoted by the "PTS" mint mark, this coin reflects the complexities of maintaining a colonial mint operation far from European infrastructure. The "PJ" are the initials of the assayers who were responsible for ensuring the silver's purity and the coin's conformity to official standards.
Design and Symbolism: Typical designs on these coins include the Spanish royal coat of arms, representing the ruling Bourbon family, and the Pillars of Hercules with the traditional "PLVS VLTRA" motto. The design elements might vary slightly due to the overstrike, with underlying features from the previous coin possibly visible.
Numismatic Significance: KM#73 from the "Standard Catalog of World Coins" categorizes this specific type. Overstruck coins like this one are of particular interest to numismatists due to their unique stories and the additional historical layers they represent. They can provide insights not only into the economic conditions of the time but also into the minting processes and the administrative responses to material shortages.
Collector Interest: For collectors, the appeal of an overstruck coin lies in its dual narrative—telling the story of both the original coin and the context of its reissue under a new ruler. This makes each piece unique, with potentially visible elements from the earlier coin adding to its historical and aesthetic value.
Historical Context: Such coins serve as a testament to the challenges faced by the Spanish colonial administration in sustaining a vast empire. They reflect the ongoing need to adapt and manage resources, including monetary supplies, across continents and under changing political regimes.
Overall, an overstruck 8 Reales coin from Bolivia during Charles IV's reign is a fascinating artifact, rich in historical significance and prized for its unique characteristics in the numismatic community.
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View Coin
| 1812B |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1812B
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NGC MS 62
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1812B BC-12 S&R: 8A REV 4 AI:P397 (C)
S/O: MEXICO 8R Mo1808TH C.IIII KM#109
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View Coin
| 1813B |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1813B
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NGC MS 62
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1813B BC:2ª S&R:2B Rev 2/1812 AI:P398 (C)
S/O: BOLIVIA 8R PTS1801PP C.IIII KM#73
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View Coin
| 1814B |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1814B
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NGC MS 62
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1814B BC:28ª S&R:9B REV 20 (1815-1A) (MC)
External Arcs: 8.8
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View Coin
| 1815B |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1815B
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NGC MS 63
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View Coin
| 1816B |
BRAZIL COLONIAL/IMPERIAL
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960R 1816B
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NGC MS 64
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1816B BC:29ª S&R:11A REV 13 AI:P4011 (MC)
S/O: MEXICO 8R Mo1808TH C.IIII KM#109
29th Variant (Berbert Castro - BC)
Variant 11A (Serrano & Rebouças)
Obverse 13 (BC) / 11 (S&R)
(a) Dot connected by a line to the S of JOANNES.
(b) Line from the red area invades the smaller shield, below on the left.
(c) Lines emanating from the first N of JOANNES.
(d) R of PORT closed at the bottom.
(e) Second pedicle more curved than the others.
(f) Florals on the shield with loose upper petals.
Reverse 2 (BC) / 13 (S&R)
(a) Colures on the right and inner left are bifurcated at the top.
(b) Outer right colure with a bifurcated tip at the bottom.
(c) NATA with a small link above the first "A".
(d) Zodiac is granulated, wide open cutting across the polar circles.
Observations:
Very common variant. We know of three examples re-struck over Sevilla Pesos (from 1808, 1815, and 1816), Madrid (from 1808), 20 Reales of José Napoleon, and a "columnario" from Guatemala, from 1768.
Considerations about 1816B coins:
Between 1816 and 1819, the Bahia Mint restruck 2,661,000 coins of 960 réis with the monetary letter B, all dated 1816.
At the end of 1815, Portugal became the United Kingdom, elevating Brazil to this status (United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves). As a result, it was ordered that, among other provisions, coins should henceforth be minted with the new legend referring to the United Kingdom, adopting a new model for the dies.
At the Rio de Janeiro Mint in 1816, coins of gold, silver, and copper were minted, today known as the "Special Series," with the legend of the new United Kingdom, yet with a design identical to the colonial one that had been used until then. As the new design (United Kingdom) took some time to be realized, only being approved by D. João VI in mid-1818, the Rio de Janeiro Mint continued to mint coins in 1817 and part of 1818 with the colonial era model and legend, without any contrary measures being ordered.
On the other hand, the Bahia Mint, having not received guidance on how to proceed with the minting of the new coins of the United Kingdom, decided to continue minting coins dated 1816, with the old legends and models, during the years 1817, 1818, and part of 1819. New dies, still marked with the date 1816, were created in these years, continuing what we refer to as the extension of minting. Only in the second half of 1819 was the minting of the 960 réis coins dated 1816 at the Bahia Mint suspended. Thus, in the years 1816, 1817, 1818, and part of 1819, the Bahia Mint minted 960 réis coins, all dated 1816, with the following totals:
Year 1816 - 806,124 coins
Year 1817 - 698,317 coins
Year 1818 - 890,000 coins
Year 1819 - 267,500 coins
This resulted in a total of 2,661,000 coins of 960 réis, restruck with the date 1816 and the monetary letter B. This is one of the reasons why so many patacões from 1816 from the Bahia Mint appear on the market, many in FC (Fleur De Coin), MS condition.
By mid-1818, the Rio de Janeiro Mint, benefiting from better conditions being close to power, began to mint the 960 réis according to the new design approved for the United Kingdom. For this reason, there exist patacões from 1818 with designs from both the Colony and the United Kingdom, marked with the monetary letter R.
[https://blogbentes.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-cunhagem-do-960-reis-da-bahia-em-1819.html]
Coin Analysis
Historical and Numismatic Overview:
Origin and Overstrike: Originally an 8 Reales coin minted in Mexico City during the reign of Charles IV of Spain in 1808, this coin was later overstruck in Brazil. The overstrike was likely implemented to convert the existing Spanish coinage to Brazilian currency, reflecting the shift in regional control and economic policy.
Designs and Marks: The coin initially featured typical Spanish colonial imagery, such as the Pillars of Hercules and the portrait of Charles IV. The overstrike added Brazilian symbols, possibly including the Brazilian coat of arms or monograms representing local authority. The blending of designs from two different colonial powers makes this coin a unique artifact with layered historical significance.
Historical Context: The overstrike period reflects a time of significant geopolitical changes. The Portuguese royal family's relocation to Brazil in 1807, ahead of Napoleon's invasion of Portugal, marked a pivotal shift in the colonial dynamics in the Americas. This event led to Brazil's elevated status within the Portuguese Empire and subsequently influenced its numismatic practices.
Collector Appeal and Value: This overstruck coin is particularly valuable to numismatists due to its unique characteristics and the historical narrative it represents. The rarity of such coins, combined with their condition and the visible elements of their overstrike, enhances their appeal. They serve as a testament to the complex interactions and transitions between colonial powers in the New World.
Preservation and Rarity: The condition of the coin, especially how well the details of both the original and overstruck designs are preserved, is crucial for its study and valuation. Coins in high grades such as this one are rare and highly sought after in the collector's market.
This coin not only represents a fascinating piece of numismatic history but also serves as a tangible link to the complex colonial past of Latin America, embodying the shifts in power, currency, and identity that characterized the era.
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