5 Centavos 1920 Portugal

This 1920 5 centavos coin from Portugal was struck in bronze, a shift prompted by the global metal shortages following World War I.

That meant using whatever alloys were on hand, often recycled from scrap. The obverse features the Portuguese coat of arms, a symbol of the fledgling republic, while the reverse simply states the denomination. No fancy designs here—just straightforward functionality in a time of upheaval.

Mintage figures? Those records burned in a Lisbon fire decades ago, so we're left guessing. What we know is that these coins circulated widely, helping to keep small transactions going amid economic strain.

Collectors sometimes spin tales about hidden values, but most of these are just pocket change from history.