Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Louis Philippe, 1830–1848.

6. Bil. 10 Centimes, 1846. Obv. LOUIS PHILIPPE I ROI DES FRANCAIS. Royal monogram, crowned. Rev. GUYANNE FRANCAISE (incuse). In the field, 10 | CENTA | BARRE. 22 mm.

THE REPUBLIC.

7. Nic. Pattern, 20 centimes, 1887. Obv. REPUBLIQUE DE LA GUYANNE INDÉPENDENTE. Female head, wearing liberty cap, to left; beneath, ESSAI. Rev. LIBERTE ★ JUSTICE. Within a laurel wreath, 20 CENTS; below, 1887. Plain edge. 23 mm. 8. AE. 10 Centimes, 1887. Obv. REPUBLIQUE DE LA GUYANNE INDÉPENDENTE. Maltese cross; in center, within a circle, two hands clasped; below, 1887. Rev. LIBERTE JUSTICE. Within beaded circle, CENT E.; below, ★★★★★. Plain edge.

10
30 mm.

[ocr errors]

BRAZIL.

The colonial coinage of Brazil begins with the establishment of a mint at Bahia by Peter II in 1694. Prior to that time the currency of the country, apart from European, chiefly Portuguese coins, was Spanish-American silver coins, which were often countermarked with designation of value in Portuguese Reis. The monetary system established by the same decree, which provided for a colonial mint, corresponded closely to that of the mother country, Portugal, in so far as denominations were concerned; but a special colonial standard was prescribed. This standard fixed the relation of gold to silver in the proportion of 14.82 to 1, while the standard of the national coinage of Portugal was 16 to 1. This first colonial mint was established at Bahia, whence five years later it was transferred to Rio de Janeiro, and in the following year, 1700, or perhaps a year or two later, a second-mint was established at Pernambuco, the coins of which were distinguished by the mint-mark P.

In 1714 another mint was installed at Bahia, coins of which bear the mint-mark B, and finally the last minting establishment to be provided for the colony was one at Villa Rica de Ouro Preto, in the Province of Minas Geraes, which was a rich mining district. The distinguishing mark of the coins of this mint is the letter M, the initial of the name of the Province. The obverse type of the gold and silver coins struck in Brazil up to 1703 consists of a crowned shield of arms of Portugal, the date and designation of value, and the title of the king with the addition of Brasiliæ Dominus, in full or abbreviated, a portion of the inscription sometimes extending to the reverse. On the reverse of the gold coins, not only of the first issues, but later on the gold coins struck on the colonial system, was the cross of St. George within a tressure of four lobes, while on the reverse of the silver coins was a globe on a cross of the Order of Christ, and in the angles of the cross the legend SVBQ(e) SIGN(0) NATA STAB(it). This motto has been variously explained; it is perhaps to be translated: "The land discovered under (this) sign (i. e., of the cross) shall prosper."

By a decree of 1703 the gold coins of the mint at Rio de Janeiro were struck on the same standard as those of Portugal, and also with same types, with this difference, that instead of rosettes in the angles of the cross on the reverse, the letter R, the mint-mark of Rio de Jeneiro, was placed in each of the four angles. In 1722 John V of Portugal followed the example of the other European countries and placed his portrait on his coins, and in 1727 gold coins of Brazil also were issued bearing the portrait of the monarch, the colonial coins being distinguished from those of the mother country by the presence of a mint-mark beneath the bust.

In the reign of Joseph I a noteworthy special coinage of silver took place at the mints at Bahia and Rio de Janeiro for circulation in the mining region, and were known as moedas minieras. The series consisted of four pieces of the value of 600, 300, 150, and 75 Reis, respectively. On the obverse these coins have a large J, crowned; and on the reverse the usual type of the silver coins of Brazil.

Copper coins struck for the Portuguese colony of Angola, in Africa, were supplied to Brazil until 1715, when the mint at Lisbon struck a special copper coin for the American colony, and in 1729 the coinage of copper was begun at Bahia. These copper coins all have the Brazilian globe and around it the legend PECUNIA TOTUM CIRCUMIT ORBEM.

The invasion of Portugal by the French in 1807 compelled the court to seek refuge in Brazil, whither the seat of government was transferred. In a short time the trade of the colony had so increased that the supply of silver was insufficient; and in order to meet the increased demand a decree was issued September 1, 1808, which authorized the circulation of the Spanish Pesos, at a valuation of 960 Reis, after being officially countermarked at the mints and assay offices. The countermarks on these Pesos are, on one side, the arms of Portugal, and on the other, the Brazilian globe (No. 42).

In 1815 the Prince Regent, John of Portugal, erected the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and Algarve, and in 1818 his portrait as John VI appeared on the coins, the arms of the new Kingdom being placed on the

reverse.

The creation of the Empire of Brazil in 1822 had no immediate effect on the monetary system of the country. The bust of the Emperor and the arms of Brazil are found on the gold coins; while the arms occupied the obverse of the silver and copper, with the value, date, and mint-mark within a wreath on the reverse.

During the reign of Dom Pedro II important changes were made in the standard of gold and silver. From 1831 to 1833 the system established in 1824, in the reign of Dom Pedro I, was continued. This was based on the Portuguese colonial system, with a double standard. In that system

the Oitava of gold, 22 carats fine, was valued at 1$600 and 1$777 Reis, the Meia Dobra struck in the former being valued at 6$400 Reis, the Moeda in the latter at 4$000 Reis. The coins of each series have the bust of the Emperor as a child of 6 years of age. The silver of this period was 916 thousandths fine and the 2 Pataca piece of 640 Reis weighed 5 Oitavas. In 1833 the value of gold was raised to 2$500 Reis per Oitava, 22 carats fine. The Meia Dobra on this standard has a value of 10$000 Reis. The silver 2 Pataca piece still weighed 5 Oitavas, but its value was 800 Reis, and the Patagon or piece of 3 Patacas of corresponding weight and value, that is, 1$200 Reis. On the earlier coins of the period when this standard was in use, 1833 to 1849, is found the bust of the Emperor as a boy, and on the later we have his bust as a mature man in the uniform of an admiral.

In 1849 Brazil adopted the gold standard for which purpose the value of the Oitava of gold, 22 carats fine, was fixed at 4$000 Reis. There were issued in gold a piece of 20$000 Reis, weighing 17.930 grams, and its half of 10$000 Reis, both without mint-mark. The largest silver coin under

this new law was the piece of 2$000 Reis, the successor of the Patagon, weighing 25 grams, which was raised to 25.50 in 1875. The Milreis, and the piece of 500 Reis, of proportional weight, were also struck.

The bust on this last issue of gold coins and of silver after 1867 was that of a mature, heavily beared man.

By a decree of September 3, 1870, a divisional coinage in nickel was introduced, and pieces of 200, 100, and 50 Reis were struck in that metal. On the obverse of these coins is the inscription, IMPERIO DO BRAZIL, and the arms of the empire, while on the reverse is the value and the legend DECRETO No. 1817 DE 3 DE SETEMBRO DE 1870.

The Republic of Brazil, when established in 1889, made no change in the monetary system, but there was a change of types to correspond with the new order of government. A female bust with a Phrygian cap appeared on the silver in 1889, and the inscription REPUBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRAZIL; and on the reverse one finds the arms of the Republic and the legend, ORDEN E PROGRESO.

At various times there have been mints in Brazil at the following cities: Bahia (B), Rio de Janeiro (R), Pernambuco (P), Villa Rica de Ouro Preto, Minas Geraes (M), Sao Paolo (S P), Goyaz (G), and Cuyaba (C). At the beginning of the reign of Dom Pedro II only four of these mints were in operation, and during his reign the mints at Bahia, Goyaz, and Cuyaba were closed, leaving only the one at Rio de Janeiro active.

The arms of the Republic of Brazil.-A round shield azure the constellation of the Southern Cross argent, a bordure charged with 21 stars; the shield on a five-point star the rays party vert and or. The whole upon a sword in pale, within a wreath of laurel and coffee.

Legend, ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRAZIL 15 DE NOVEMBRE DE 1899.

COLONY OF PORTUGAL.

Dom Pedro II, A. D. 1683-1706.

GOLD.

1. Moeda, 1704. (R).1 Obv. PETRVS. II. D. G. PORT. ET. ALG. REX. Shield of the arms of Portugal, crowned; at sides, left, 4000 reading upward, right, four rosettes in perpendicular line. Rev. IN+HOC+ SIGNOVINCES 1704. Cross of the Order of Christ, with letter R (Rio de Janeiro) in each angle. Edge, obliquely hatched. 30 mm.; 165.5 grs.

1 Owing to the fragmentary character of the collection of Brazilian coins, it seemed best not to try to distribute them according to mints. The indication of the mint is given, therefore, immediately after the denomination and date of the coins, where such information was obtainable or important.

SILVER.

2. 2 Patacas (640 Reis), 1695.

(B). Obv. PETRVS. II. D. G. PORT. REX. ET. BRAS. D. Arms of Portugal, crowned; at sides, 640 reading downward - three rosettes in perpendicular line; the date, 16 – 95, is divided by the crown. Rev. SUBQ. SIGN. NATA - STAB. A globe over cross of the Order of Christ; on girdle of globe, B. Edge, obliquely hatched. Without mint mark. 38 mm.; 290 grs.

3. 2 Patacas (640 Reis), 1699. (R). Similar to No. 2, except date.

4. 2 Patacas (640 Reis), 1701. (R). Similar to No. 2; the final numeral 1 in date is over 0.

5. Pataca (320 Reis), 1701. (B). Legends and types similar to No. 2, but reading 320 (reis) to left of arms, on obverse; numeral 1 over O in date. Edge, obliquely hatched. 31 mm.

6. Meia pataca (160 Reis), 1700. (R). Similar to No. 2, but reading 160 to left of the arms

[blocks in formation]

Edge, obliquely

Dom João V, A. D. 1706-1750.

GOLD.

7. Moeda, 1720. (R). Obv. IOANNES. V. D. G. PORT. ET. ALG. REX. Similar to No. 1. Rev. Similar to No. 1. 29.5 mm.; 160 grs.

8. Dobrão, or 5 Moedas (20,000 Reis), 1725. (M). Obv. Inscription and type similar to No. 2, but at left side of shield, 20000, and at right, five rosettes in perpendicular line. Rev. Inscription as No. 1, but with rosettes for stops; cross of the Order of Christ, with letter M (Minas) in each angle. Edge, wreath, 39 mm.; 827.7 grs.

9. Dobra of 8 Escudos (12,800 Reis), 1729. (M). Obv. IOANNES. V. D. G. PORT. ET. ALG. REX. Laureated bust to right; beneath, M (Minas) | 1729. Rev. A garnished shield of the arms of Portugal, crowned. Edge, a wreath. 37 mm.; 437 grs.

« AnteriorContinuar »