Owner Comments:
Brazil
João Prince Regent 960 Reis 1816-B MS64 NGC, Bahia mint, KM307.1, LMB-401a. Overstruck on a Mexico Colonial 8 Reales. A virtual Gem.
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.