1986 Portugal Escudo

The 1986 Escudo stands out for its subtle tribute to Portugal's maritime past, featuring the armillary sphere on its reverse—a symbol of exploration that dates back to the 15th century.

This coin, part of the final series before the escudo's replacement by the euro, was struck in cupro-nickel at the Lisbon mint. Details like the obverse portrait of a historical figure are straightforward, showing the usual republican seal. We don't have precise mintage records; those might have been archived poorly during the transition to new currency.

Edge lettering on some escudos could be faint, a common flaw from the minting process. As for value, it's mostly sentimental for those who remember the old notes. A collector once swore this coin predicted the euro's arrival; it didn't, but handling one does bring back the era's musty charm.