Escudo of Pedro IV

This silver coin from Pedro IV's reign was struck in Lisbon during his fleeting time as king, a period when he was also emperor of Brazil, blending two crowns on a single piece of metal.

That dual identity shows up in the design: the obverse carries Pedro's portrait, complete with the laurel wreath that nods to his imperial status, while the reverse sports the Portuguese arms. Struck from .917 fine silver, these coins often appear on planchets that might have been repurposed from earlier issues, though that's just an educated guess based on the mint's habits.

We don't know the exact mintage; records from the 1820s are spotty, likely lost in later upheavals. What we can say is that survivors are typically in circulated condition, reflecting the economic strains of the time.

As for varieties, there's at least one with a recut date, but that's as exciting as it gets.

Oh, and if you think it's rare, well, it's not exactly hiding in plain sight.