40 Reis of Pedro V

The 40 Reis coin from Pedro V's reign stands out for its role in Portugal's tentative steps toward decimalization, a reform that finally stuck after centuries of convoluted currency systems.

This bronze piece, struck between 1853 and 1861, bore the young king's profile on the obverse, a nod to his brief but reform-minded rule. The reverse typically showed the Portuguese coat of arms, simple and functional for everyday use. Weighing around 10 grams, it served as small change in a growing economy, though exact specifications varied by year.

Mintage figures are murky; records from that era often went up in smoke during Lisbon's archival fires. Still, these coins turned up in pockets across the country, outlasting the king's own tenure.

One might say they handled wear better than some thrones.