In 2022, in partnership with INCM, CTT launches the final set from its Portuguese Numismatics series, showing five coins minted in Portugal between the 16th and 20th centuries. These coins bear witness to various episodes from modern and contemporary history and illustrate such significant events as the construction of the Portuguese Empire in India and Brazil, the transition from Absolutism to Liberalism and the establishment of the Republic in Portugal in 1910. In a perfect symbiosis between art, technology and industry, these stamps demonstrate the evolution of Portuguese numismatics and the meaning of the symbols that, even today, inhabit the national imagination.
Mário de Gouveia Portuguese Mint and Official Printing Office Portuguese Mint Museum
The St Thomas escudo (INCM/MCM 5774) was minted under King João III. It shows the coat of arms of the kingdom, formed of a crowned shield containing escutcheons in a cross formation, with bezants arranged in a saltire, and a bordure of castles, with the letters IOA III POR ET AL R (‘João III, King of Portugal and the Algarves’); and the image of the apostle St Thomas, a nimbus around his head, a carpenter’s square in his left hand and the finger of his right hand pointing at Christ’s wounds, with the lettering + INDIA TI-BI CESSIT (‘India submitted to you’). The escudo marks the evangelisation of India and the construction of the Portuguese Empire in Asia.
The 4000-real coin (INCM/MCM 5282) was minted under King Pedro II. It shows the coat of arms of the kingdom, formed of a crowned shield and containing escutcheons in a cross formation, with bezants arranged in a saltire, and a bordure of castles, with the letters PETRVS II D G PORT ET ALG REX (‘Pedro II, by the grace of God, king of Portugal and the Algarves’); and the cross of the Order of Christ, with quatrefoils in all four corners, with the letters 1689 IN HOC SIGNO VINCES (‘1689, in this sign you shall triumph’). The coin recalls the dawn of the gold rush in Brazil and mechanical minting in Portugal.
The 24-escudos dobra (INCM/MCM 5362) was minted under King João V. It shows the royal effigy in a majestic pose, with draped bust and a laurel wreath on the head, with the letters IOANNES V D G PORT ET ALG REX 1731 (João V, by the grace of God, king of Portugal and the Algarves, 1731’); and the coat of arms of the kingdom, formed of a crowned shield and containing escutcheons in a cross formation, with bezants arranged in a saltire, and a bordure of castles, in a typically baroque configuration. The dobra marks the history of royal absolutism and the splendour of baroque art in Portugal.
The peça (INCM/MCM 5585) was minted under Queen Maria II. It shows the royal effigy, head facing left and with long hair, with the letters MARIA II D G PORTUG ET ALGARB REGINA 1833 (‘Maria II, by the grace of God, queen of Portugal and the Algarves, 1833’); and the coat of arms of the kingdom, formed of a crowned shield and containing escutcheons in a cross formation, with bezants arranged in a saltire, and a bordure of castles, inscribed in a crown of plants, in a typically romantic configuration. The peça recalls the struggles between the liberals and the absolutists and the early days of the Constitutional Monarchy in Portugal.
The 1-escudo coin (INCM/MCM 15514) was minted by the Portuguese Republic. It shows the allegory of the Portuguese Republic, a cap on the head, draped bust and the right arm covered by the national flag, with a torch in the hand, with the letters REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA / 5 DE OUTUBRO DE 1910 (‘Portuguese Republic / 5 October 1910’); and the coat of arms of the Republic, formed of a shield containing escutcheons in a cross formation, with bezants arranged in a saltire, and a bordure of castles, arranged over the armillary sphere and inscribed in a crown of plants. The escudo marks the Revolution of 5 October 1910 and the establishment of the Republic in Portugal.
