This Portugal 500 Reis collectible replica features the elegant bare-head portrait of Queen Maria II on the obverse, encircled by the Latin inscription meaning "Maria II, Queen of Portugal and the Algarves" and dated by year of issue. The reverse displays the full Portuguese royal coat of arms — a quartered shield bearing castles and armillary spheres, surmounted by a royal crown and flanked by richly draped mantling — with the denomination "500 REIS" inscribed below. Nine date variants are available spanning the reign of Maria II: 1837, 1838, 1839, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1848, 1850, and 1853.
The 500 Reis was the principal silver denomination of 19th-century Portugal, struck throughout the reign of Maria II as the country modernised its monetary system following the Liberal Wars. Each date in this series represents a distinct year of issue from the Lisbon Mint, making the full set a compelling chronicle of one of Portugal's most significant reigns. This piece is a Portuguese monarchy era historical collectible coin designed for display and collection.
About the Design
Queen Maria II (1819–1853) ascended to the Portuguese throne in 1834 following the conclusion of the Liberal Wars — a civil conflict between her supporters and those of her absolutist uncle Miguel I. Her reign marked the consolidation of constitutional monarchy in Portugal and a period of significant political and economic reform. Known as "Maria the Educator" for her commitment to public instruction, she ruled until her death in 1853 and remains one of the most celebrated monarchs in Portuguese history.
The obverse portrait — a bare-headed profile in the neoclassical style — was a deliberate departure from the heavily draped and crowned portraits of earlier Portuguese coinage, reflecting the liberal and modernising values of Maria's reign. The portrait was engraved with fine detail, capturing the queen's distinctive features across multiple die varieties produced throughout the 1837–1853 period. Subtle differences in portrait style and legend spacing can be observed between the earlier and later dates in the series.
The reverse coat of arms is one of the most elaborate heraldic designs in 19th-century European coinage. The quartered shield combines the ancient Portuguese quinas (five blue shields arranged in a cross, each bearing five white bezants) with the red and white castle towers of the Algarve, all enclosed within a bordure of seven castles. The armillary sphere — a symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery — appears at the base of the shield, while the royal crown above and the draped mantling to either side give the design a grandeur befitting the principal silver coin of the realm.
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Product Features
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Design: Obverse — Queen Maria II bare-head portrait; Reverse — Portuguese royal coat of arms with crown and mantling, "500 REIS"
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Inscription (Obverse): "MARIA II PORTUG. ET ALGARB. REGINA" — Maria II, Queen of Portugal and the Algarves; date of issue
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Inscription (Reverse): "500 REIS" — denomination in Portuguese currency
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Available Dates: 1837, 1838, 1839, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1848, 1850, 1853
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Material: Copper with silver plating, antique silver finish
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Diameter: 30mm (approx., as shown in caliper image)
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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 Portuguese and Iberian coinage
- History enthusiasts interested in Queen Maria II and the Portuguese constitutional monarchy
- Date collectors building a complete year-by-year run of a single coin type
- Display collections themed around European royal portraiture and heraldic coinage
- Gifting to history lovers, Portuguese heritage enthusiasts, or admirers of 19th-century monarchy
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
- Are these original 19th-century Portuguese coins?
- No. These are modern commemorative collectible replicas inspired by the genuine Portugal 500 Reis coins of Queen Maria II's reign (1837–1853). They are not original antique coins and have not been struck by the Lisbon Mint.
- What are the coins made from?
- Each coin is made from copper with silver plating and an antique silver finish, replicating the appearance of the original 19th-century silver 500 Reis.
- Are these coins legal tender?
- No. These are decorative commemorative collectibles with no monetary value. They cannot be used as currency.
- How are the coins 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.
- Can I collect all nine date variants?
- Yes — nine date variants are available: 1837, 1838, 1839, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1848, 1850, and 1853. Each represents a distinct year of issue from Maria II's reign, making the complete set a rewarding date-run collection spanning over fifteen years of Portuguese numismatic history.
Because every collection deserves one more coin.
