Tostão de D. José I

The Tostão of King José I was often struck on planchets made from recycled silver, including melted Spanish reales, as Portugal scrambled to stabilize its economy after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

That reuse wasn't just thrifty; it reflected the raw improvisation of the era, with mints operating amid rubble and reform. Workers hammered out these coins in Lisbon and Porto, using designs that featured the king's portrait and the national arms, all while Pombal's reconstruction efforts loomed large.

Quality varied wildly. Some pieces show crisp edges and clear details; others, weak strikes from worn dies. Mintage records for many years were likely destroyed in later fires, so precise numbers remain a mystery.

And if you think every old coin hides a secret fortune, well, not this one—it's silver, not alchemy.