The coin is an object of great economic, historical and artistic importance, being a topic of interest to collectors and numismatic scholars. Portuguese coins stand out for their historical value and the unique stories they carry, making them valuable and coveted pieces. Long before Portugal adopted the euro in 2002, the escudo was the currency in circulation in the country, having been used for decades. Among the rarest and most mysterious coins in Portuguese history is the 1 cent coin from 1922, considered by many to be the most fascinating and valuable.
The evolution of the Portuguese currency
The euro was introduced on January 1, 1999, replacing the escudo, which was in circulation until February 28, 2002. However, Portuguese monetary history is much older and dates back to the reign of D. Afonso Henriques, the founder of the Kingdom of Portugal. After the Battle of Ourique, in 1139, the first king adopted the Money as official currency, used until 1433.
Later, D. João I introduced the royal whiteequivalent to 70 sous (840 money), while his successor, D. Duarte I, in 1433, created the real thereforewith a lower value, corresponding to one tenth of the white real. From that moment on, copper coins appeared, as part of the evolution of the national monetary system.
The 1922 1 cent coin, however, stands out for a history shrouded in mystery and intrigue, which makes it even more special, reveals .
The 1922 1 cent coin
This coin is extremely rare, with only six known examples. Of these, two are kept in museums and the other four are in private collections. The total number of coins minted is unknown, but it is believed that their bronze manufacture was interrupted due to the value of the metal used being greater than the face value of the coin.
1 cent coin from 1922 Reproduction NCultura | DR
It is thought that the coins were stored at the Mint until June 1924, when they were melted down and the bronze used to produce 5-cent coins. This mystery makes the 1922 1 cent coin one of the most valuable in Portuguese numismatic history, arousing great interest among collectors.
A story of survival
The existence of only six known examples contributes to the rarity and value of this coin. Preserved specimens are highly sought after, due to their historical significance and their scarcity.
Photo Diário de Lisboa December 5, 1960 | DR
On December 5, 1960, Diário de Lisboa published a news item announcing the discovery of three copies of the 1922 1-cent coin. The following day, the same newspaper revealed the existence of three more coins, confirming a total of six known copies. until today.
Photo Diário de Lisboa December 6, 1960 | DR
The value of this currency has increased over the years. On October 8, 2002, one of these coins was auctioned for 60,000 euros, with the opening bid starting at 37,500 euros. Later, on December 12, 2006, another example was auctioned for a record price of 85 thousand euros, standing out not only for its rarity, but for its historical importance.
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