50 Réis - Luiz I (Countermark "Crowned PM" over 6 Pence/Victoria) ND (1889) front 50 Réis - Luiz I (Countermark "Crowned PM" over 6 Pence/Victoria) ND (1889) back
50 Réis - Luiz I (Countermark "Crowned PM" over 6 Pence/Victoria) ND (1889) photo

50 Réis - Luiz I Countermark "Crowned PM" over 6 Pence/Victoria ND

1889 year
Silver (.9166) 2.8 g 19 mm
Description
Issuer
Mozambique
King
Luís I the Popular (1861-1889) Charles I the Diplomat (1889-1908)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Year
1889
Value
50 Réis
Currency
Real (1706-1910)
Composition
Silver (.9166)
Weight
2.8 g
Diameter
19 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Countermarked
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-06
References
Numista
N#99985
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Script: Latin

Comment

According to reports from the colony's government, the value varied from place to place (around 50 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 features a countermark, which is a mark or symbol that is stamped or engraved on top of the original design of the coin. In this case, the countermark is a crowned PM, which was added to the coin to indicate that it was issued under the authority of the Portuguese Monarchy. This feature makes the coin particularly unique and valuable to collectors.