PORTUGUESE GOLD REIS

Obverse: Crowned name of the emperor IOAN and below that a V, value (400) at bottom.
Reverse: IN.HOC.SIGNO.VINCES. (= By this sign shall you conquer) around cross of Jerusalem, date (1743) above.

The Romans, Visigoths and Moors dominated Portugal for centuries. Emerging in the 12th Century as an independent kingdom, Portugal was financially and philosophically prepared for the great period of exploration that would follow. Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) was one of many of the daring explorers who roamed the world’s oceans from Brazil to Japan in an unprecedented burst of energy that reached its peak in 1494 with Portugal laying claim to almost half of the transoceanic world.

Portugal lies along the western edge of modern day Spain.

This beautiful coinage minted in the wealthy city of Lisbon was important hard currency during the spice and silk trade. Early on, Portuguese established control over the flow of gold from Africa, making gold trade one of their great assets.

They were minted from 1717 through 1776 with 22-carat fineness.