1822 Brazil 80 Réis

This 1822 80 Réis was struck on planchets recycled from melted Spanish reales, a thrifty move by Brazil's new mint in Rio de Janeiro as the country shook off Portuguese rule.

Pedro I's portrait dominates the obverse, his profile stern and unyielding, while the reverse bears the imperial arms—a clever nod to the monarchy's fresh start. The coin's silver content varied slightly, depending on what scraps were available. That made for inconsistent weights, which frustrated assayers at the time.

Mintage figures? Lost in the 1838 fire that gutted the archives. No one knows exactly how many were produced.

Some call it rare, but that's collectors' hype. In truth, examples turn up now and then. Expect wear; these saw heavy circulation in the tropics.