Brazil is the largest state in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking one on the continent. In 1815, Brazil ceased to be a Portuguese colony and joined with it as an equal member in a short-lived state - the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve.
Emperor Pedro II of Brazil (reigned 1831-1890, life years 1825-1891)
Pedro II becomes the second emperor of the Brazilian Empire. During his more than 50-year reign, more than two dozen different types of coins were issued. I will present a little from the late period.
KM # 473, 10 flight 1869, bronze, production years 1868-1870
KM # 474, 20 flight 1869, bronze, production years 1868-1870
KM # 479, 40 flight 1873, bronze, production years 1873-1880
KM # 472, 500 flight 1868, silver 0.835, years of manufacture 1867,1868
On the obverse of the bronze denominations is the coat of arms of the Brazilian Empire, on the reverse is the profile of Emperor Pedro II.
At the beginning of the second half of the 19th century, inflation increased in Brazil, which leads to the issuance in 1849-1867 of silver coins of huge denominations with a reduced weight: 500, 1000 and 2000 flights (weighing 6.375, 12.75, 25.5 grams, respectively). For example, the largest silver denomination of 1834-1847 with a release of 1200 flights had a weight of 26.89 grams, that is, almost 2 times more.
The "Paraguayan War" of 1864-1870 finally crippled the Brazilian economy, and by decree No. 1817 of September 3, 1870 , coins were put into circulation on copper-nickel billets in denominations of 50, 100, 200 flights, silver coins are withdrawn from circulation in 200 flights of 1835-1867 minted and weight parameters are set for silver coins of 0.917 samples in denominations of 500, 1000 and 2000 flights - 6.375, 12.75, 23.5 grams, respectively. It is noteworthy that this decree does not say anything about the bronze 40 flights that continued for another 10 years.
So that the local population does not have doubts about the legitimacy of the new copper-nickel coins, there is an inscription on their obverse indicating the legal document that was the legal basis for the issue - DECRETO Nº 1817 DE 3 DE SETEMBRO DE 1870
KM # 477, 100 flight 1882, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1871-1885
KM # 478, 200 flight 1884, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1871-1884
Copper-nickel of the last imperial release:
KM # 482, 50 flight 1887, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1886-1888
KM # 483, 100 flight 1886, 887 thousand equivalent, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1886-1889
KM # 484, 200 flight 1888, 967 thousand equivalent, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1886-1889
The empire fell in 1889, shortly after slavery was abolished, and Brazil became a republic.
Selection of coins of the first republican issue. The inscriptions and symbols on the coins are different by themselves, and different styles are visible in coins of different denominations. At first, bronze 20 flights.
KM # 490, 20 flight 1908, bronze, 4.6 million copies, years 1889-1912
On the obverse, the new name of the state - REPUBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRAZIL (Republic of the United States of Brazil), following the example of the United States of America, surrounds the new coat of arms of the state, approved 4 days after Brazil was declared a Republic. On the reverse is the motto VINTÉM POUPADO VINTÉM GANHO, which means "Money saved is money earned."
KM # 491, 40 flight 1897, bronze, 1.2 million copies, years 1889-1912
On the obverse, the name of the state surrounds the image of the constellation of the Southern Cross framed by 27 stars, symbolizing the unity of the 26 states of Brazil and the Federal District . On the reverse is another motto: A ECONOMIA FAZ A PROSPERIDADE, which in rough translation means "Economy contributes to prosperity."
KM # 492, 100 voyage 1889, copper-nickel alloy, 7.7 million equivalent, years 1889-1900
KM # 493, 200 flight 1897, copper-nickel alloy, 2.4 million equivalent, production years 1889-1900
On copper-nickel coins around the inscription with the face value of the coin, the third motto: ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) on top and the date of foundation of the Republic on November 15, 1889 (15 DE NOVEMBRO DE 1889) on the bottom of the face value.
Also in the first issue were presented silver coins in denominations of 500 and 1000 flights. On the obverse is an image of a woman in a Phrygian cap, personifying Freedom, on the reverse is the same motto about "Order and Progress" as on the previous two coins.
KM # 494, 500 Flight 1889, Silver 0.917, 4.5 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
In 1901, Brazil issued a line of coins in a single design in denominations of 100, 200 and 400 flights on copper-nickel blanks. On the obverse is the coat of arms of the Republic, on the obverse is the female profile "LIBERTY." In general, nothing unexpected, except for the indication of the year in Roman numbers MCMI. Coins were minted at mints in Belgium, Birmingham, Hamburg, Paris and Vienna. There are no striking differences between them, they are expressed only in small fluctuations in weight and diameter.
KM # 503, 100 Flight 1901, Copper-Nickel Alloy, 15.8 M Equivalent, Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 504, 200 flight 1901, copper-nickel alloy, 12.6 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 505, 400 flight 1901, copper-nickel alloy, 5.3 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
In the socio-political life of the young Republic, not everything was smooth. Soon after the formation of the Republic, to replace the interim government in 1891, power in the country passed to the military. The so-called "Saber Republic" lasted until 1894. After that, the authorities returned to coffee and cane tycoons. Numerous peasant uprisings and military uprisings were brutally suppressed by government forces.
Against the background of political instability in 1906-1912, the Brazilian coin business is experiencing an upsurge - 10 types of negotiable and anniversary silver coins are issued.
KM # 506, 500 flight 1906, silver 0.900, 352 thousand copies, production years 1906-1912
In 1918, coins of a new type came into circulation. All denominations from 20 to 400 flights are made on copper-nickel billets. Coins of this type were issued until 1935.
KM # 516, 20 flight 1919, copper-nickel alloy, 2.9 million equivalent, years of production 1918-1935
KM # 517, 50 flight 1919, copper-nickel alloy, 588 thousand equivalent, years of production 1918-1935
KM # 518, 100 flight 1923, copper-nickel alloy, 956 thousand equivalent, years of production 1918-1935
KM # 519, 200 flight 1934, copper-nickel alloy, 612 thousand equivalent, years of production 1918-1935
KM # 520, 400 flight 1926, copper-nickel alloy, 1 million equivalent, years 1918-1935
In 1922, a line of commemorative coins was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Brazil's independence.
KM # 521, 500 flight 1922, aluminum-bronze alloy, 13.7 million equivalent, only year of manufacture
KM # 522, 1000 Flight 1922, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 16.7 MMex, Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 523, 2000 Flight 1922, Silver 0.900, 1.6 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
The coins feature Emperor Pedro I and 11 Brazilian President Epitácio Lindolfa da Silva Pessoa (1919-1922).
11 Brazilian President Epitacio Lindolfa da Silva Pessoa (1919-1922)
The peaceful transition from monarchy to republic, during the revolution of 1889, contributed to the fact that such controversial symbols as the imperial crown and Phrygian cap, the imperial coat of arms and coat of arms of the Republic, the Emperor of Brazil and the current President coexist on the coins of the anniversary issue.
The 1918 model line in 1924 is supplemented with older denominations of aluminum bronze and silver.
KM # 524, 500 flight 1927, aluminum-bronze alloy, 2.7 million equivalent, production years 1924-1930
KM # 525, 1000 flight 1927, aluminum-bronze alloy, 35.8 million equivalent, production years 1924-1931
On the reverse is a new plot: a sitting female figure (Freedom) with a cornucopia against the background of the night sky with the same "Southern Cross."
KM # 526, 2000 flight 1924, silver 0.500, 9.1 million ex. years 1924-1934
There is also a new symbol for Brazil - the bars of the "fascia."
In 1932, Brazil celebrates the 400th anniversary of Colonization. In connection with these events, a line of coins with significant plots for this event comes into circulation in a limited edition.
KM # 527, 100 Flight 1932, Copper-Nickel Alloy, 1 M equivalent, Single Year of Manufacture
The obverse depicts the Native American leader Tibirika, who provided invaluable assistance to Portuguese sailors in the difficult task of colonizing Brazil.
Tibirika
It should be noted that colonization took place relatively peacefully, since in the territory of modern Brazil there were no such developed militant civilizations, such as the Incas or Aztecs, located to the north. The few tribes of Indians inhabiting these lands, the Jesuits methodically converted to Christianity and introduced to European values.
KM # 528, 200 flight 1932, copper-nickel alloy, 596 thousand equivalent, only year of production
The reverse depicts a caravel from the first expeditions. Brazil was accidentally discovered on April 22, 1500 by Pedro Alvares Cabral on his way around Africa. The acquired lands were named Santa Cruz Island (Holy Cross). Due to the fact that at that time the Portuguese crown was interested in territories in Asia and Africa, the intensified colonization of the American continent continued only after 30 years.
KM # 529, 400 flight 1932, copper-nickel alloy, 416 thousand equivalent, only year of production
The obverse depicts the South American continent with the indication of the "papal meridian" - a line established by the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, according to which the newly discovered lands east of it belonged to Portugal, and west of the meridian to Spain.
Other European states were not taken into account by this agreement due to the lack of such a powerful fleet as Portugal or Spain at that time.
KM # 530. 500 flight 1932, aluminum-bronze alloy, 34 thousand equivalent, only year of manufacture
The coin depicts Joao Romalho - a Portuguese adventurer and explorer who abandoned his family in Europe in 1512 and went to the South American continent in search of the "Paradise Island." Having suffered a shipwreck near the American coast, he was saved by the Guayanas tribe and stayed with them. Having married the daughter of Tibirika (see above), he "settled" quite well: he replenished European ships with provisions, sold them Indians into slavery, built brigantines, founded new settlements and helped his compatriots in the development of new territories.
KM # 531, 1000 flight 1932, aluminum-bronze alloy, 56 thousand equivalent, only year of production
Martin Afonso de Souza - commander of the first official Portuguese expedition to Brazil in 1830. Helped him, by the way, the aforementioned Joao Romalho.
KM # 532, 2000 flight 1932, silver 0.500, 695 thousand copies, only year of production
As befits older denominations, the coin depicts the King of Portugal, Juan III the Pious, in whose reign the active phase of colonization began.
King of Portugal Juan III the Pious
In 1935-1936, by decree No. 565 of December 31, 1935, coins of regular minted with Brazilian celebrities came into circulation.
KM # 536, 100 flight 1936, copper-nickel alloy, 3.9 million equivalent, production years 1936-1938
The coin depicts Juaquin Marquez Lisbon Marquis Tamandeira - Admiral of the Fleet of the Brazilian Empire, a national hero who participated in almost all battles of that time.
Juaquín Márquez Lisbon Marquis of Tamandeira (1807-1897)
KM # 537, 200 flight 1937, copper-nickel alloy, 6.5 million equivalent, production years 1936-1938
On the coin is a portrait of Irineu Evangelista di Soza - a Brazilian entrepreneur and banker who founded the first metallurgical plant and shipyard in the country, built a railway and opened a steamship service across the Amazon, and also laid the first underwater telegraph cable between Europe and South America.
Irineu Evangelista di Sosa (1813-1889)
KM # 538, 300 flight 1936, copper-nickel alloy, 3 million equivalent, production years 1936-1938
For the first time in Brazilian history, a composer got on a three-hundred-year coin. This is Carlos Antonio Gomez, whose centenary of birth in 1936 was celebrated in Brazil. In addition to being the founder of Brazilian opera, he was also the author of the Brazilian folk anthem "Il saluto del Brasile," toured the world with his works, including visiting Russia.
Carlos Antonio Gómez (1836-1896)
KM # 539, 400 flight 1938, copper-nickel alloy, 2.7 million equivalent, production years 1936-1938
On this coin is a bust of Oswaldo Gonçalves Cruz, a Brazilian epidemiologist and Minister of Health. Among his merits are the founding of the Brazilian Epidemiological Institute and the creation of vaccines against infectious diseases.
Oswaldo Gonçalves Cruz (1872-1917)
KM # 540, 500 flight 1936, aluminum-bronze alloy, 1.3 million equivalent, production years 1936-1938
There is a version of this coin, issued in a limited edition of 14 thousand ex. in 1935 on workpieces of other sizes.
The coin depicts a Brazilian preacher and politician from the time of the Empire, Diogo António Feijo, a highly controversial personality. Having achieved the abdication of the power of Emperor Pedro I, this politician realized that the absence of autocracy in the country threatened anarchy, and turned from a republican into a supporter of a constitutional monarchy.
Diogo António Feijó (1784-1843)
KM # 541, 1000 flight 1938, aluminum-bronze alloy, 926 thousand copies, production years 1936-1938
This coin also has a limited edition version (138 thousand copies) of the 1935 model with different characteristics of the blanks.
The coin depicts another Brazilian messioner and founder of Brazilian literature - Jose di Anchieta. A native of the Canary Islands, he arrived in Brazil in 1553, participated in the founding of the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, played a significant role in educating and Christianizing the Brazilian Indians.
José di Anchieta (1534-1597)
Coins in denominations of 2000 flights have 3 options at once with pronounced differences.
The first silver version was minted in 1935.
KM # 535, 2000 Flight 1935, Silver 0.500, 2.1 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
On the coins is the profile of the hero of the Paraguayan war - Marshal and Minister of War Luis Alvish di Lima and Silva, Duke of Caxias .
Luis Alvish di Lima y Silva, Duke of Caxias (1803-1880)
The following two options are already made on aluminum bronze blanks of different shapes: round with a ribbed edge (type 1, KM # 542) and 24 faceted blanks (type 2, KM # 548).
KM # 542, 2000 flight 1937, aluminum-bronze alloy, production years 1936-1938
The appearance of the second option in circulation is due to the issue of decree No. 695 of September 15, 1938.
KM # 548, 2000 flight 1938, aluminum-bronze alloy, production years 1937-1938
On the eldest coin of the series, with a denomination of 5000 flights, the world-class aeronautics pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont is depicted.
Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932)
Despite the fact that he was born and died in Brazil, all his achievements in this direction were associated with France.
KM # 543, 5000 flight 1935, silver 0.600, 414 thousand copies, production years 1936-1938
This is the last silver coin issued in Brazil for circulation.
In 1930, an armed coup took place in Brazil. The country was led by Getulio Dornelis Vargas. It is his profile that can be seen on the new coins of regular minted in denominations of 100, 200, 300 and 400 flights, which were issued in 1938, 1940 and 1942.
Getulio Dornelis Vargas (1882-1954)
KM # 544, 100 flight 1938, copper-nickel alloy, 8.1 million equivalent, production years 1938-1942
KM # 545, 200 flight 1940, copper-nickel alloy, 10.2 million equivalent, production years 1938-1942
KM # 546, 300 flight 1940, copper-nickel alloy, 8.1 million equivalent, production years 1938-1942
KM # 547, 400 flight 1940, copper-nickel alloy, 7.3 million equivalent, production years 1938-1942
When preparing the alloy for the 1942 circulation, they "went too far" with copper, and the coins acquired a reddish tint that was not typical for the metal of a copper-nickel alloy. Compare.
KM # 544, 100 flight 1942, copper-nickel alloy, 1.3 million equivalent, production years 1938-1942
KM # 546, 300 flight 1942, copper-nickel alloy, 2 million equivalent, production years 1938-1942
In 1939, commemorative coins of the next portrait series with outstanding Brazilians were issued in a similar design.
KM # 549, 500 Flight 1939, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 5.9M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
The coin is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Joaquin Maria Mashado de Assis, a classic of Brazilian literature.
Joaquin Maria Mashadou de Assis (1839-1908)
In 1939, the centenary of another Brazilian writer, Tobias Barreto de Mendes, was celebrated. A coin in denomination of 1000 flights is dedicated to this event.
KM # 550, 1000 Flight 1939, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 9.6M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
Tobias Barreto de Mendes (1839-1889)
And finally, the final coin of the jubilee series, in denomination of 2000 flights, is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Florian Vieira Peixot, Marshal and second President of Brazil.
Florian Vieira Peixotu (1839-1895)
KM # 551, 2000 Flight 1939, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 5 MMexe, Single Year of Manufacture
In 1942, due to catostrophic inflation, Brazil decided to carry out a radical monetary reform . Centavos and cruzeiros were adopted as the national currency.
The plots of coins, unlike their predecessors, are monosyllabic. The bust of the same president Vargas, who will be in power until 1945, is depicted on the obverse of coins of 10, 20, 50 centavos, and the outlines of the territory of Brazil, on the obverse of coins of 1, 2, 5 cruzeiro. Centavos in 1942, 1943 were produced on copper-nickel blanks, and cruzeiro on aluminum-bronze.
KM # 555, 10 centavos 1943, copper-nickel alloy, 13.6 million equivalent, production years 1942-1943
KM # 556, 20 centavos 1943, copper-nickel alloy, 13.4 million equivalent, production years 1942-1943
KM # 557, 50 centavos 1943, copper-nickel alloy, 13.4 million equivalent, production years 1942-1943
As with the copper-nickel coins of the previous issue, the copper in the alloy turned out to be slightly larger than usual, so they have a reddish tint.
KM # 558, 1 cruzeiro 1945, aluminum-bronze alloy, 32.5 million exes, production years 1942-1956
KM # 559, 2 cruzeiro 1945, aluminum-bronze alloy, 32.5 million ex. years of production 1942-1956
In 1943-1945, due to the increased world demand for nickel for military needs, all denominations began to be produced for aluminum - bronze blanks.
KM # 555a, 10 centavos 1944, aluminum-bronze alloy, 12.6 million equivalent, production years 1943-1947
KM # 556a, 20 centavos 1944, aluminum-bronze alloy, 12.7 million equivalent, years of manufacture 1943-1948
KM # 557a, 50 centavos 1945, aluminum-bronze alloy, 73.2 million equivalent, production years 1943-1947
If you noticed, Brazilians are very sensitive to their history. They do not deny everything related to previous regimes. On the coins there are heroes of both past years and modern figures.