1 Centavo 1917-1920 Portugal

These centavos from 1917 to 1920 were the first Portuguese coins to feature the full inscription "República Portuguesa" on their reverse, signaling the new government's break from royal imagery.

Struck in bronze at the Lisbon mint, they carried a straightforward design: the national coat of arms on one side, with the denomination and date on the other. Production ramped up during Portugal's early republican years, amid economic shifts after World War I. We don't have exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty, likely lost in bureaucratic reshuffles.

The coins' edges were plain, making them easy targets for wear in daily use. That simplicity helped them circulate widely, even as inflation nibbled at their value. I've seen plenty like this over the years—tarnished but tenacious.

Counterfeits popped up occasionally, though not enough to cause a stir.