Escudo de D. João IV

The Escudo of D. João IV was struck using silver from melted Spanish reales, a practical repurposing that funded Portugal's fight for independence during the Restoration War.

That choice reflected the era's harsh realities. Minted between 1640 and 1656 in Lisbon, these coins bore the king's portrait and the national shield, signaling a break from Spanish dominance. Designs varied slightly by year, with some showing wear from rushed production amid conflict.

Exact mintage figures are murky; records likely burned in later fires. What survives shows these were silver coins, typically around 3 to 4 grams, though variations occurred.

Wars make for odd bedfellows in numismatics. A Spanish real one day, a Portuguese escudo the next.