Portuguese silver coins

Real, centavos and escudos

Maria IIPedro VLuís ICarlos I
1835–18531853–18611861–18891889–1908
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1837–1853 — Historical real — Maria II — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1854–1855 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 50 Réis — Silver — 1862–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — obversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1890–1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — obverse
Manuel IIFirst RepublicEstado NovoThird Republic
1908–19101910–19261926–19741975–2001
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1908–1909 — Historical real — Manuel II — obversePortugal — 50 Centavos — Silver — 1912–1916 — First Republic — obversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1928 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 250 Escudos — Silver — 1976 — Third Republic — obverse

The catalogue presents 85 documented types of Portuguese silver coins, from the Kingdom’s réis to the Republic’s centavos and escudos, in chronological order. It includes regular and commemorative issues intended for circulation; patterns and collector-only versions, including proof versions of Third Republic commemoratives, are excluded. The comparison of earlier series and countermarks is still in progress.

Historical real — Maria II

100 Réis200 Réis500 Réis1.000 Réis
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1836–18431836–18431837–18531837–1845
Historical real — Maria IIHistorical real — Maria IIHistorical real — Maria IIHistorical real — Maria II
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1836–1843 — Historical real — Maria II — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1836–1843 — Historical real — Maria II — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1837–1853 — Historical real — Maria II — obversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1837–1845 — Historical real — Maria II — obverse
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1836–1843 — Historical real — Maria II — reversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1836–1843 — Historical real — Maria II — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1837–1853 — Historical real — Maria II — reversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1837–1845 — Historical real — Maria II — reverse
Types and links in this group
100 Réis100 Réis
SilverSilver
18511853
Historical real — Maria IIHistorical real — Maria II
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1851 — Historical real — Maria II — obversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1853 — Historical real — Maria II — obverse
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1851 — Historical real — Maria II — reversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1853 — Historical real — Maria II — reverse
Types and links in this group

Historical real — Pedro V

100 Réis200 Réis500 Réis50 Réis
SilverSilverSilverSilver
18541854–185518541855–1861
Historical real — Pedro VHistorical real — Pedro VHistorical real — Pedro VHistorical real — Pedro V
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1854 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1854–1855 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1854 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 50 Réis — Silver — 1855–1861 — Historical real — Pedro V — obverse
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1854 — Historical real — Pedro V — reversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1854–1855 — Historical real — Pedro V — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1854 — Historical real — Pedro V — reversePortugal — 50 Réis — Silver — 1855–1861 — Historical real — Pedro V — reverse
Types and links in this group
500 Réis100 Réis500 Réis200 Réis
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1855–18561857–18611857–18591858–1861
Historical real — Pedro VHistorical real — Pedro VHistorical real — Pedro VHistorical real — Pedro V
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1855–1856 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1857–1861 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1857–1859 — Historical real — Pedro V — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1858–1861 — Historical real — Pedro V — obverse
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1855–1856 — Historical real — Pedro V — reversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1857–1861 — Historical real — Pedro V — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1857–1859 — Historical real — Pedro V — reversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1858–1861 — Historical real — Pedro V — reverse
Types and links in this group

Historical real — Luís I

50 Réis200 Réis500 Réis100 Réis
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1862–18891862–18631863–18891864–1889
Historical real — Luís IHistorical real — Luís IHistorical real — Luís IHistorical real — Luís I
Portugal — 50 Réis — Silver — 1862–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1862–1863 — Historical real — Luís I — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1863–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — obversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1864–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — obverse
Portugal — 50 Réis — Silver — 1862–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — reversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1862–1863 — Historical real — Luís I — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1863–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — reversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1864–1889 — Historical real — Luís I — reverse
Types and links in this group
200 Réis
Silver
1865–1888
Historical real — Luís I
Portugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1865–1888 — Historical real — Luís I — obverse
Portugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1865–1888 — Historical real — Luís I — reverse
Types and links in this group

Historical real — Carlos I

100 Réis200 Réis500 Réis50 Réis / ½ Tostão
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1890–18981891–19031891–19081893
Historical real — Carlos IHistorical real — Carlos IHistorical real — Carlos IHistorical real — Carlos I
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1890–1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1891–1903 — Historical real — Carlos I — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1891–1908 — Historical real — Carlos I — obversePortugal — 50 Réis / ½ Tostão — Silver — 1893 — Historical real — Carlos I — obverse
Portugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1890–1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — reversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1891–1903 — Historical real — Carlos I — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1891–1908 — Historical real — Carlos I — reversePortugal — 50 Réis / ½ Tostão — Silver — 1893 — Historical real — Carlos I — reverse
Types and links in this group
200 Réis500 Réis1.000 Réis1.000 Réis
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1898189818981899–1900
Historical real — Carlos IHistorical real — Carlos IHistorical real — Carlos IHistorical real — Carlos I
Portugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — obversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — obversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1899–1900 — Historical real — Carlos I — obverse
Portugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — reversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1898 — Historical real — Carlos I — reversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1899–1900 — Historical real — Carlos I — reverse
Types and links in this group

Historical real — Manuel II

500 Réis100 Réis200 Réis500 Réis
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1908–19091909–191019091910
Historical real — Manuel IIHistorical real — Manuel IIHistorical real — Manuel IIHistorical real — Manuel II
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1908–1909 — Historical real — Manuel II — obversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1909–1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — obversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1909 — Historical real — Manuel II — obversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — obverse
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1908–1909 — Historical real — Manuel II — reversePortugal — 100 Réis — Silver — 1909–1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — reversePortugal — 200 Réis — Silver — 1909 — Historical real — Manuel II — reversePortugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — reverse
Types and links in this group
500 Réis1.000 Réis
SilverSilver
19101910
Historical real — Manuel IIHistorical real — Manuel II
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — obversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — obverse
Portugal — 500 Réis — Silver — 1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — reversePortugal — 1.000 Réis — Silver — 1910 — Historical real — Manuel II — reverse
Types and links in this group

First Republic

50 Centavos20 Centavos1 Escudo10 Centavos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1912–19161913–191619141915
First RepublicFirst RepublicFirst RepublicFirst Republic
Portugal — 50 Centavos — Silver — 1912–1916 — First Republic — obversePortugal — 20 Centavos — Silver — 1913–1916 — First Republic — obversePortugal — 1 Escudo — Silver — 1914 — First Republic — obversePortugal — 10 Centavos — Silver — 1915 — First Republic — obverse
Portugal — 50 Centavos — Silver — 1912–1916 — First Republic — reversePortugal — 20 Centavos — Silver — 1913–1916 — First Republic — reversePortugal — 1 Escudo — Silver — 1914 — First Republic — reversePortugal — 10 Centavos — Silver — 1915 — First Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1 Escudo
Silver
1915–1916
First Republic
Portugal — 1 Escudo — Silver — 1915–1916 — First Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1 Escudo — Silver — 1915–1916 — First Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group

Estado Novo

10 Escudos2,50 Escudos5 Escudos10 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
19281932–19511932–19511932–1948
Estado NovoEstado NovoEstado NovoEstado Novo
Portugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1928 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 2,50 Escudos — Silver — 1932–1951 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 5 Escudos — Silver — 1932–1951 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1932–1948 — Estado Novo — obverse
Portugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1928 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 2,50 Escudos — Silver — 1932–1951 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 5 Escudos — Silver — 1932–1951 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1932–1948 — Estado Novo — reverse
Types and links in this group
20 Escudos10 Escudos5 Escudos10 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
19531954–195519601960
Estado NovoEstado NovoEstado NovoEstado Novo
Portugal — 20 Escudos — Silver — 1953 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1954–1955 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 5 Escudos — Silver — 1960 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1960 — Estado Novo — obverse
Portugal — 20 Escudos — Silver — 1953 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1954–1955 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 5 Escudos — Silver — 1960 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 10 Escudos — Silver — 1960 — Estado Novo — reverse
Types and links in this group
20 Escudos20 Escudos50 Escudos50 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1960196619681969
Estado NovoEstado NovoEstado NovoEstado Novo
Portugal — 20 Escudos — Silver — 1960 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 20 Escudos — Silver — 1966 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1968 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1969 — Estado Novo — obverse
Portugal — 20 Escudos — Silver — 1960 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 20 Escudos — Silver — 1966 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1968 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1969 — Estado Novo — reverse
Types and links in this group
50 Escudos50 Escudos50 Escudos
SilverSilverSilver
196919711972
Estado NovoEstado NovoEstado Novo
Portugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1969 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1971 — Estado Novo — obversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1972 — Estado Novo — obverse
Portugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1969 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1971 — Estado Novo — reversePortugal — 50 Escudos — Silver — 1972 — Estado Novo — reverse
Types and links in this group

Third Republic

250 Escudos100 Escudos500 Escudos750 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1976197719831983
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 250 Escudos — Silver — 1976 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 100 Escudos — Silver — 1977 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 750 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 250 Escudos — Silver — 1976 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 100 Escudos — Silver — 1977 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 750 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1983198319921994
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1992 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1994 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1983 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1992 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1994 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos500 Escudos1.000 Escudos500 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1994199519951996
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1994 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1995 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1995 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1996 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1994 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1995 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1995 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1996 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos500 Escudos1.000 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1996199619971997
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1996 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1996 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1996 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1996 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos500 Escudos1.000 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1997199719981998
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1997 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos500 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1998199819981999
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1999 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1998 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 1999 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos500 Escudos1.000 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
1999199920002000
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1999 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1999 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1999 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 1999 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group
1.000 Escudos1.000 Escudos500 Escudos1.000 Escudos
SilverSilverSilverSilver
2000200020012001
Third RepublicThird RepublicThird RepublicThird Republic
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 2001 — Third Republic — obversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2001 — Third Republic — obverse
Portugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2000 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 500 Escudos — Silver — 2001 — Third Republic — reversePortugal — 1.000 Escudos — Silver — 2001 — Third Republic — reverse
Types and links in this group

Notes on the issues of the Republic

Click the coin images for specifications, varieties and mintages of each issue.

First Republic

Early issues include centavos and the 1 escudo coin commemorating the Republic. Not all later coins of the same denomination are silver.

Estado Novo

The galleries distinguish regular caravel issues from commemoratives. Check the metal by year and type, without applying one weight or fineness to the entire series.

Commemoratives

The illustrated 50 escudos commemorate Pedro Álvares Cabral, Vasco da Gama, Carmona, Banco de Portugal and Os Lusíadas.

Sources: Portuguese Parliament: Estado Novo; Decree on the Banco de Portugal coin.Monetary reform of 1911; Casa da Moeda: history;

How to identify silver issues

Identify a coin by comparing both faces, year, mint and edge with the issue entry. A photograph’s colour does not establish the metal: check weight, diameter and fineness where documented.

This selection presents coins illustrated in the catalogue, rather than every issue of the country. Face value, metal content and collector price are different quantities; this page does not provide current prices.

Silver entries in the original Portuguese catalogue

Comparing silver issues

PeriodIllustrated denominationsHow to identify them
First Republic (1910–1926)10, 20, 50 centavos · 1 escudoEarly issues include centavos and the 1 escudo coin commemorating the Republic. Not all later coins of the same denomination are silver.
Estado Novo (1933–1974)2$50 · 5$00 · 10$00 · 20$00The galleries distinguish regular caravel issues from commemoratives. Check the metal by year and type, without applying one weight or fineness to the entire series.
Commemoratives50 escudosThe illustrated 50 escudos commemorate Pedro Álvares Cabral, Vasco da Gama, Carmona, Banco de Portugal and Os Lusíadas.

Check the date, denomination and images of both faces; compare the edge and measurements with the issue entry too.

Collector value depends on variety, condition and authenticity. Face value is not a market price and total weight is not fine silver weight.

Sources

Banco de Portugal — 1 escudo, 1914

Museu de Angra do Heroísmo — 1 escudo

1976 issues 1997 oceanographic issues