Real of João II

The real of João II was instrumental in financing Portugal's early explorations, with its silver helping fund voyages like that of Bartolomeu Dias in 1488.

This coin, struck in Lisbon from roughly 0.5 grams of silver, featured a simple design: the king's arms on one side and a cross on the other. Variations in weight occurred due to hand-hammering techniques, which often left edges irregular. Mintage records for the era were likely destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, so precise figures remain elusive.

As for myths, the idea that every real was touched by explorers is nonsense. They were everyday money, not relics. One oddity: collectors sometimes debate if the coin's wear patterns resemble sea waves, given Portugal's maritime bent. It's a stretch.