225 Réis - Luiz I Countermark "Crowned P.M" over ½ Rupee/Victoria, India ND
1889 year| Silver (.9167) | 5.83 g | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Mozambique |
|---|---|
| Issuing entity | Junta da Fazenda |
| King | Luís I the Popular (1861-1889) Charles I the Diplomat (1889-1908) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1889 |
| Value | 225 Réis |
| Currency | Real (1706-1910) |
| Composition | Silver (.9167) |
| Weight | 5.83 g |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Countermarked |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#99074 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Script: Latin
Comment
According to reports from the colony's government, the value varied from place to place (190 to 225 Réis) and this caused disruption in trade. Even the Banco Nacional Ultramarino notes were subject to a premium.The countermark "Crowned PM" was instituted by the "NOTICE FROM THE BOARD OF FAZENDA of 05JAN1889".
A box with 40 punches, small anvils and hammers was sent from the Lisbon Mint.
Due to heavy use they quickly became inoperable.
Given the urgency, they were replaced by the stamp "PM" as there were no engravers in the colony that could do a better job (NOTICE FROM THE BOARD OF FAZENDA of 19JAN1889).
The stamp continued to be used under King Carlos and, traditionally, Portuguese catalogs "arrange" coins with this stamp during the reign of this last king.
Due to its crude manufacture, it was largely counterfeited at the time, and its counterfeiting continues today.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it has a unique countermark, featuring a crowned "P.M" over the image of ½ Rupee/Victoria, India. This countermark was added to the coin to indicate that it was issued by the Portuguese colonial administration in Mozambique, and it is a distinctive feature that sets it apart from other coins of the same era.
