Ceitil of João I

The Ceitil of João I was struck from humble copper, often recycled from old pots and pans, making it a practical choice for a kingdom still recovering from civil war.

Weighing barely more than a hazelnut, this coin handled the grunt work of daily trade, from buying bread to paying taxes, without the pomp of its silver counterparts. Minted in Lisbon or possibly Porto—records are spotty—this denomination helped stabilize Portugal's economy during João's long reign. We don't know the exact mintage figures; those likely burned in some archive fire centuries ago.

One oddity: despite its size, counterfeiters rarely bothered with it, perhaps because the real thing was already so crude.