1942 Brazil 100 Réis

This 1942 100 Réis coin was struck using aluminum, a hasty switch driven by Brazil's wartime copper shortages to support the Allied effort.

That material choice made it lighter than its predecessors, which must have puzzled a few pockets back then. The obverse features the Brazilian coat of arms, encircled by the national motto, while the reverse shows the denomination and date—simple, functional design typical of the era.

Mintage figures are murky; records from that period were often incomplete due to the chaos of war. What we know is that it circulated widely in Brazil, helping stabilize the economy amid global upheaval.

Not every coin from 1942 ended up in a collection; many just wore out from daily use.