20 Escudos 1935 Portugal

The 1935 20 Escudos gold coin was struck from 6.45 grams of 0.900 fine gold, a modest weight that belied its role in stabilizing Portugal's banking reserves during the Depression.

That composition made it practical for high-value transactions, especially in a year when global economies were hoarding every ounce of the metal. The obverse features the Portuguese coat of arms, encircled by the nation's name, while the reverse shows the denomination and date—simple, no frills.

Mintage figures? They're murky; records from Lisbon's mint weren't always reliable, and some documents vanished in later upheavals. What we know is that production was low, reflecting cautious fiscal policy under Salazar's regime.

It's a sturdy piece, with edges reeded to thwart clipping—clever, if you're into that sort of thing.

The coin rarely circulated beyond elite circles, ending up in vaults rather than pockets.