The Brazilian Mint first bent the Brazil Gold Reis in 1723 as a legal tender in Brazil during the reign of King Pedro II. The only denomination printed during this period was the 4,000 Reis. In 1853, the 10,000 and 20,000 Reis coins were struck and more of 20,000 were minted in 1856. They serve as a bullion coin in the world of gold investors. The history and relative scarcity of these coins have helped them to become a favorite staple of investors in world gold coins.
Brazil Gold Reis comes in denominations of 4,000, 10,000, and 20,000 Reis. They are minted with a gold fineness of 91.7% that is uniform across all the denominations. The 4,000 Reis, the eldest of the three spans 29mm wide with a thickness of 1mm and weighs 10.75g. The 10,000 and 20,000 Reis coin weighs 8.9648g and 17.9296g with a width of 23mm and 30mm and a thickness of 1.5mm and 1.7mm respectively. The intrinsic value of this coin is much higher than the face value.
The obverse of these coins features a left facing portrait of Pedro II at the center. The inscription “PETRUS II D G V IMP ET PERP BRAS DEF” forms an arc on the obverse side. The inscription is translated as PETER II BY GRACE OF GOD AND PERPETUAL DEFENDER OF BRAZIL. Just below the image depiction, the year of mintage appears. The reverse side depicts a crowned coat of arms of the Republic of Brazil. Below this depiction emanates branches of two different plants with a five pointed star situated at their origin. Outside the coat of arms depiction the inscription, “W HOC SI GNO VINCES” forms an arc, which is the Portuguese phrase for IN THIS MATTER YOU WILL TRIUMPH. The face value appears on the reverse side adjacent to the coat of arms image.
The Brazil Mint was established in 1694 and its headquarters and industrial facilities occupy a modern plant with 110,000 square meters in Rio de Janeiro’s western suburb of Santa Cruz. Trading in Brazil Gold Reis does not attract any form of tax.
