500 Escudos 1980
Portugal
1980
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 2 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$1,132.34
Based on Gold spot price ($4,831.225/oz) · 90.0% purity · 8.1g
Updated 1:05 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Portugal |
| Years Minted | 1980 |
| Composition | 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Weight | 8.1 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Features the Portuguese coat of arms.
Reverse
Displays the denomination and year.
History & Notable Facts
The 500 Escudos gold coin from 1980 contains precisely 15.48 grams of pure gold, making it a half-ounce bullion piece designed for investment rather than circulation.
That weight standard aligned it with international bullion norms, allowing Portuguese mints to compete in a market dominated by Krugerrands and Maple Leafs. The obverse features the Portuguese coat of arms, encircled by the nation's name, while the reverse shows a simple numerical value—straightforward, as most bullion coins tend to be.
Records on exact mintage figures were never made public, possibly lost in bureaucratic shuffle, so speculation runs wild among enthusiasts. As for myths, I've heard tales of these coins funding secret government projects, but that's just collectors' fancy. They were struck at the Lisbon Mint, using refined gold from domestic sources.
Some call it undervalued today.
Buy on eBay
AI Analysis & Price Prediction
The 500 Escudos 1980 has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade. Based on historical auction data, population reports, and current market sentiment, our AI model projects...
Get AI-powered analysis for this coin
Unlock with Pro — $9.99/mo