Brazil (Colonial), Portugal. José I (1750-1777). 640 Reis 1771 - Lisboa (variante "SVBQ")

PORTUGAL. Lisbon. 640 Reais. 1771. José I (1750-1777)

- Value: 640 Reais.
- Reign: José I (1750-1777).
- Year: 1771.
- Inscriptions: Obverse: JOSEPHUS·I·D·G·PORT·REX·ET·BRAS·D, with crowned shield of the arms of Portugal and the date 1771 split on both sides. Reverse: STAB·SVBQ·SIGN·NATA, with the armillary sphere pierced by a diagonal band.
- Grading: Excellent state of preservation. Lovely tone in patina.

Silver coin of 640 Reais minted in Lisbon in 1771, during the reign of José I of Portugal, corresponding to the variant "SVBQ". The obverse presents the crowned Portuguese royal shield, with the five quinas and the seven castles, accompanied by the date split on both sides and the monarch’s titulature. The reverse shows a large armillary sphere, a historical symbol of Portuguese maritime expansion and its overseas empire, pierced by a diagonal band and surrounded by the Latin legend. The specimen stands out for the excellent definition of its reliefs, especially in the heraldic details, the royal crown and the geometric structure of the armillary sphere. Its surfaces present a magnificent old gray-silver patina, with attractive reflections of gold, ochre and blue distributed irregularly, which enhance the contrast between the fields and the design elements. Light surface marks and some lines are visible on the reverse, not detracting from its notable visual appeal. With a mintage of 110,000 pieces, it constitutes an interesting issue of eighteenth-century Portuguese numismatics, representative of the period of economic and administrative reforms promoted during José I’s reign under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal.

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