This Brazil 1832 960 Reis collectible replica captures one of the most distinctive silver coins of the Brazilian Empire. The obverse displays the denomination "960" at centre, enclosed within a laurel wreath and surrounded by floral ornaments, with the date "1832" and the Rio de Janeiro mint mark "R" below. The surrounding Latin inscription translates as "Peter II, by the Grace of God, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil" — the full imperial title of Dom Pedro II. The reverse presents the Brazilian Imperial coat of arms: an armillary sphere on a shield, surmounted by an imperial crown and flanked by branches of coffee and tobacco tied with a ribbon bow, with a ring of stars along the lower border. The legend "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" — "In this sign you shall conquer" — arcs across the top, the motto of Emperor Constantine adopted by the Brazilian Empire.
The 960 Reis was the principal large silver denomination of early 19th-century Brazil, and one of the most fascinating coins in South American numismatic history. Many examples were struck directly over Spanish colonial 8 Reales (pieces of eight), with traces of the original host coin sometimes visible beneath the Brazilian design — a practice that makes each original a unique numismatic document of the transition from colonial to imperial rule. The 1832 issue from the Rio de Janeiro Mint represents the reign of Pedro II at its outset, just one year after he was proclaimed Emperor at the age of fourteen. This piece is a Brazilian Empire era historical collectible coin designed for display and collection.
About the Design
Dom Pedro II (1825–1891) was the second and last Emperor of Brazil, reigning for nearly fifty years from 1831 to 1889. Ascending to the throne as a child following the abdication of his father Pedro I, he grew into one of the most respected statesmen of 19th-century Latin America — a patron of science, the arts, and education who corresponded with Charles Darwin, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Louis Pasteur. His reign saw Brazil's emergence as a major world power, the abolition of slavery in 1888, and ultimately the republican revolution of 1889 that ended the Empire. The 1832 960 Reis was struck in the very first year of his formal reign, making it a coin of exceptional historical resonance.
The armillary sphere on the Brazilian Imperial coat of arms is one of the most evocative symbols in the Americas — a direct inheritance from the Portuguese Empire, where it had appeared on royal arms since the reign of Manuel I in the early 16th century. The sphere represents the celestial globe and Portugal's pioneering role in the Age of Discovery, when Portuguese navigators charted the seas of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Its presence on Brazilian Imperial coinage connects the new Empire to the full sweep of Lusophone history, from Vasco da Gama to the Amazon.
The motto "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" — "In this sign you shall conquer" — originates with the Emperor Constantine I, who according to tradition saw a vision of the Christian cross before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD and adopted it as his battle standard. Its use on Brazilian Imperial coinage reflects the deep Catholic identity of the Empire and the dynasty's claim to rule by divine sanction — a tradition shared with the great Catholic monarchies of Europe and Iberia from which the Braganza dynasty descended.
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Product Features
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Design: Obverse — denomination "960" in laurel wreath, floral ornaments, date 1832, mint mark R; Reverse — Brazilian Imperial coat of arms with armillary sphere, imperial crown, coffee and tobacco branches, ring of stars
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Inscription (Obverse): "PETRUS II D.G. CONST. IMP. ET PERP. BRAS. DEF." — Peter II, by the Grace of God, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil
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Inscription (Reverse): "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" — In this sign you shall conquer
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Mint Mark: R — Rio de Janeiro Mint
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Material: Copper with silver plating, antique silver finish
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Diameter: 40mm
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Finish: Antique silver
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Packaging: Securely packaged for safe arrival
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Note: This is a commemorative collectible and not legal tender
Perfect For
- Collectors of 19th-century Brazilian, Portuguese, and Latin American coinage
- History enthusiasts interested in Emperor Pedro II and the Brazilian Empire
- Display collections themed around imperial heraldry and South American numismatics
- Admirers of the armillary sphere, Age of Discovery symbolism, and Braganza dynasty history
- Gifting to history lovers, Brazilian heritage enthusiasts, or collectors of world monarchs
Shipping
Free worldwide tracked shipping. Estimated delivery: 9–14 days. Each coin is securely packaged for safe arrival.
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This item is a commemorative collectible and is not affiliated with any official government mint.
This item is a commemorative collectible and is not legal tender, not issued by a government mint, and not an investment product. It is intended for hobby collecting and display purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this an original 1832 Brazilian 960 Reis?
- No. This is a modern commemorative collectible replica inspired by the genuine 1832 Brazil 960 Reis of Emperor Pedro II. It is not an original antique coin and has not been struck by the Rio de Janeiro Mint or any historical mint authority.
- What is the coin made from?
- The coin is made from copper with silver plating and an antique silver finish, replicating the appearance of the original 19th-century silver 960 Reis.
- Is this coin legal tender?
- No. This is a decorative commemorative collectible with no monetary value. It cannot be used as currency.
- How is the coin packaged and shipped?
- Your coin will be securely packaged to protect it during transit and shipped with free worldwide tracked shipping. Estimated delivery is 9–14 days.
- What is the significance of the 960 Reis denomination and why were they struck over Spanish coins?
- The 960 Reis was the principal large silver denomination of the Brazilian monetary system in the early 19th century, equivalent in size and weight to the Spanish colonial 8 Reales (piece of eight) — the dominant trade coin of the Americas. To meet demand for silver coinage, the Brazilian and Portuguese mints frequently overstruck captured or imported Spanish 8 Reales with new Brazilian dies, creating coins that sometimes show traces of the original host coin beneath the surface. This practice makes original 960 Reis pieces uniquely fascinating to collectors as layered documents of colonial and imperial monetary history.
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