Meio Cruzado of João III

The Meio Cruzado, struck during João III's reign, was a gold fraction coin that circulated in the Portuguese outposts of Africa and Asia, greasing the wheels of an empire built on spice routes and conquest.

At just over 1.4 grams of high-purity gold, it represented half the value of a full cruzado, making it practical for everyday transactions in far-flung colonies. The obverse typically bore the king's coat of arms, a shield crowded with crosses and castles, while the reverse might feature a simple cross potent. Minters in Lisbon hammered these on planchets likely sourced from domestic gold supplies, though exact origins remain murky.

Records of exact mintage are spotty; much was lost in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and fire. That said, surviving examples show wear from heavy use, suggesting they were common in trade.

If you're handling one, note the crude edge—often irregular, as if the minters were in a hurry to fund the next voyage.