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Brazil Gold Tied for Finest Known Certified World Coin in Stack’s Bowers ANA Auction

Brazil. 1000 Reis, 1752. Lisbon Mint. NGC MS-68+. Images courtesy Stack's Bowers Auctions

By Kyle PonterioSenior Numismatist & Cataloguer, Stack’s Bowers ……
As summer approaches, anticipation is rapidly building for our official American Numismatic Association (ANA) auction, which will take place from August 13-16, 2019 right outside Chicago in the suburb of Rosemont. While a large number of items that cross the block will earn labels such as fabulous, breathtaking and highly desirable, the piece we’ve selected to share this week truly stands out from the rest!

Brazil. 1000 Reis, 1752. Lisbon Mint. NGC MS-68+.

Not only does this immaculate Gem hold the distinction of being the finest certified 18th-century gold coin from Brazil at either NGC or PCGS, but it’s also tied for the finest certified coin of any type, from any country, struck during the 18th century.

The obverse depicts the crowned arms of Portugal flanked by the vertical denomination “.1000.” to the left and florets “.+++.” to the right; the Latin legend reads “IOSEPHUS.I.D(EI).G(RATIA).PORT(UGAL).REX.” meaning “Joseph I by the grace of God King of Portugal”. The reverse depicts an equilateral blunt cross surrounded by ornate quadrilobe, all within a dentilated border; the Latin legend reads “ET.BRASILIÆ.DOMINUS.ANNO.1752” meaning “And ruler of Brazil Year 1752”. The edge bears the familiar tulip design commonly seen on the coinage of Brazil and other parts of Central and South America.

As would be expected from any numismatic item of superlative quality such as this Brazilian 1000 Reis, the strike is superb, leaving nothing to the imagination. As a result, the design is fully crisp and within the arms of Portugal, each window in the seven surrounding castles remains visible. The surfaces are likewise exceptional, with a satiny luster that glows throughout. In this astounding quality, this coin is a statistical miracle! As such, it is a trophy piece for collectors who seek the finest examples.

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We are currently taking consignments of world and ancient coins and world paper money for the August ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction in Rosemont, Illinois. We are also accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our August 19-22, 2019, Hong Kong Showcase Auction. If you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our consignment directors.

Stack's Bowers
Stack's Bowershttps://stacksbowers.com/
Stack's Bowers Galleries conducts live, internet, and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company's 90-year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block — The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection, The Sydney F. Martin Collection, and The Battle Born Collection — to name just a few. World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Salton Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, and The Thos. H. Law Collection. The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California with galleries in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Hong Kong, Paris, and Vancouver.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. This is a Portuguese coin. It is not a Brazilian coin.
    Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. At that time José I was king of Portugal and Brazil was part of Portuguese Empire.

    • You are correct that the Coin was minted at the Lisbon Mint,and José I was king of Portugal. However, the coin was struck for use in Brazil, not Portugal as evidenced by the reverse inscription of “ET.BRASILIÆ.DOMINUS.ANNO.1752” meaning “And ruler of Brazil Year 1752”. The edge bears the familiar tulip design commonly seen on the coinage of Brazil and NOT on coins in Portugal.

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