SOLD Portuguese 4000 Reis Pendant. Please Explore Our Gold Coin Pendants For Similar Items.

Description:

During the 1500s to the 1700s, the great seafaring Catholic nation of Portugal had a global empire that included possessions in Africa, Asia and South America. At this time Portugal was one of the world's major economic, political and cultural powers. Brazil was discovered in the year 1500 by Admiral Pedro Alares Cabral and claimed for Portugal. Sugar production exported to Europe was the most important Brazilian colonial product until the early 18th century.
The discovery of gold in the late 17th century led to a gold rush with people from other parts of the colony and Portugal flooding the region. The large portion of the Brazilian inland where gold was extracted, became known as the Minas Gerais “General Mines.” Gold mining in this area became the main economic activity of colonial Brazil during the 18th century and the Portuguese Empire soon became extremely rich.
This rare colonial gold coin was minted in Rio de Janeiro in 1699. The obverse side features a Catholic cross within a quatrefoil with the date ANNO 1699 and the legend ET-BRASILIAE-DOMINUS "Lord of Brazil." The reverse shows the royal crowned Portuguese coat of arms with the legend PETRUS-II-DG-PORTUG-REX "Peter II by Grace of God, King of Portugal." Peter II was the King of Portugal from 1683 until his death in 1706. He was a strong leader and nicknamed "The Pacific" because peace was made with Spain during his regency in 1668.