200 Escudos 1989

Struck in 92.5% silver, this 200 Escudos proof coin from Portugal's 1989 series was one of the last to carry the escudo's distinctive design before the euro's arrival.

That design features the national coat of arms on the obverse, encircled by the country's name, and the denomination on the reverse. It's a standard proof strike, weighing 17 grams with a diameter of 33 millimeters. Mintage figures are unclear; official records from the Lisbon Mint were spotty even then.

The coin's edge is reeded for security, a practical touch that collectors often overlook. As for the silver, it came from European refineries, though the exact suppliers remain undocumented.

Producing these proofs required extra strikes for that mirror finish, which sometimes led to subtle variations in strike quality. Not exactly groundbreaking, but it kept things interesting in the mint.