Real - António I Countermark "Açor" over Real, Sebastião I ND
1582 year| Copper | 1.5 g | 23 mm |
| Issuer | Portugal |
|---|---|
| King | Anthony I (António) (1580) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1582 |
| Value | 1 Real |
| Currency | Real (1517-1835) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 1.5 g |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Hammered, Countermarked |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#103273 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Lettering:
SEBAS
TIA
NVS
*I*
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a countermark, which is a secondary marking or stamp that was applied to the coin after it was minted. The countermark on this coin is the letter "Açor" (which means "hawk" in Portuguese) over the real, which was added to indicate that the coin was issued by the Portuguese king, Sebastião I. This countermark was used during a time of economic crisis in Portugal, when the government was struggling to produce enough coins to meet demand. By adding the countermark, the government was able to take existing coins and turn them into a new, official currency, which helped to alleviate the shortage of coins in circulation. This coin is a unique example of how governments have used countermarks throughout history to adapt to economic challenges.
