© A. Monge da Silva (CC0)
© A. Monge da Silva (CC0)
450 Réis Countermark "PM" over 1 Rupee/German East Africa ND
| Silver | 11.67 g | 30 mm |
| Issuer | Mozambique |
|---|---|
| King | Charles I the Diplomat (1889-1908) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1889-1895 |
| Value | 450 Réis |
| Currency | Real (1706-1910) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 11.67 g |
| Diameter | 30 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Countermarked |
| Demonetized | 1915 |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#99010 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
Script: Latin
Comment
According to reports from the colony's government, the value varied from place to place (380 to 450 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 was used as a form of currency in Mozambique during the late 19th century, despite being minted with a countermark from German East Africa. This highlights the complex history of currency and trade in the region during that time period.
