© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
600 Réis Countermarked over 4 Reales - Charles III; Bolívia ND
1887 year| Silver (.903) | 13.5 g | 32 mm |
| Issuer | Azores (Portugal) |
|---|---|
| King | Louis I the Popular (1861-1889) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1887 |
| Value | 600 Réis |
| Currency | Real (decimalized, 1843-1911) |
| Composition | Silver (.903) |
| Weight | 13.5 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled, Countermarked |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#101183 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CAROLUS·III DEI·GRATIA
·1776·
Comment
The picture is from Heritage Auctions, Lot 31628Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was countermarked over a Spanish coin, the 4 Reales of Charles III, which was issued in the 18th century. This practice of countermarking, or stamping a new design over an existing coin, was a common practice in the 19th century as a way to validate the coin for use in a different country or territory. In this case, the 600 Réis coin was issued in the Azores, a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean that was a Portuguese territory at the time. The countermarking of the coin allowed it to be used as legal tender in the Azores, despite being originally issued in Spain.
