20 Escudos 1952

The 1952 20 Escudos gold coin was one of the last issued by Portugal under the Estado Novo regime, struck at a time when most nations had abandoned gold for circulation due to postwar economic strains.

Weighing about 6.45 grams and composed of 0.900 fine gold, it features the Portuguese coat of arms on the obverse and a simple value inscription on the reverse, reflecting the era's austere design preferences. Exact mintage figures are murky; records from the Lisbon Mint were reportedly incomplete after the 1940s upheavals, so precise numbers remain a guess among enthusiasts.

Some specimens show subtle die variations, possibly from hurried production runs, which can intrigue the detail-oriented collector. As for myths, I've heard tales of hidden treasures involving these coins, but after thirty years, I'll just say they were currency, not buried pirate loot.