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500 Réis, Bank of Portugal, Portugal, 1904–1910 (Pick 105)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1904-1910

Issuing entity

Kingdom of Portugal

This 500 Réis note was issued in Portugal by the Bank of Portugal, with dates recorded from 1904–1910. It belongs to the Real (decimalized, 1835-1910) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: First Republic (1910-1926). It measures 119 × 73 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 105.

Obverse: Black on green underprint. "Republica" over Crowned Coat of Arms at top center. Chapa 3. Its lettering reads “REPUBLICA / BANCO DE PORTUGAL / 500 / QUINHENTOS RÉIS / PRATA / Lisboa 27 de Dezembro de 1904 / O DIRECTOR O GOVERNADOR / 500 / ESTAMPARÍA DO BANCO DE PORTUGAL”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Republic Bank of Portugal Five Hundred Reis Silver Lisbon, December 27, 1904 The Director The Governor Bank of Portugal Printer”.

Reverse: Brown. Allegorical woman's head at right. Its lettering reads “BANCO DE PORTUGAL / 500 / QUINHENTOS RÉIS”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Portugal Five Hundred Reis”. The note was printed by Printing of the Bank of Portugal (Estamparía do Banco de Portugal), Lisbon, Portugal. Watermark: Mercury's head. Signatures recorded for the type: José Félix da Costa (JFC) (Director); Júlio Marques de Vilhena (JMV) (Governor); António José Gomes Lima (AJGL) (Director); Marqués do Fayal (MF) (Director); Augusto José da Cunha (AJC) (Director); José Adolfo de Mello e Sousa (JAMS) (Governor); José da Paixão Castanheira das Neves (JPCN) (Director). Technique: Overprinted. Demonetized: 24 June 1929.

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Some "Real" currency notes produced at the end of the period of the Kingdom of Portugal were reused at the beginning of the Portuguese Republic (first decade). The overprint "REPÚBLICA" was placed on the back of some issues. In particular, this banknote entered circulation on July 20, 1917 .

Physical characteristics

Size
119 × 73 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
Mercury's head.

Technical characteristics

Printer
Printing of the Bank of Portugal (Estamparía do Banco de Portugal), Lisbon, Portugal
Currency
Real (decimalized, 1835-1910)
Signatures
José Félix da Costa (JFC) (Director) · Júlio Marques de Vilhena (JMV) (Governor) · António José Gomes Lima (AJGL) (Director) · Marqués do Fayal (MF) (Director) · Augusto José da Cunha (AJC) (Director) · José Adolfo de Mello e Sousa (JAMS) (Governor) · José da Paixão Castanheira das Neves (JPCN) (Director)
Demonetized
24 June 1929
Issuing bank
Bank of Portugal

Design

Obverse
Black on green underprint. "Republica" over Crowned Coat of Arms at top center. Chapa 3.
Reverse
Brown. Allegorical woman's head at right.
Obverse lettering
REPUBLICA / BANCO DE PORTUGAL / 500 / QUINHENTOS RÉIS / PRATA / Lisboa 27 de Dezembro de 1904 / O DIRECTOR O GOVERNADOR / 500 / ESTAMPARÍA DO BANCO DE PORTUGAL
Reverse lettering
BANCO DE PORTUGAL / 500 / QUINHENTOS RÉIS

Identification

Value
500 Réis
Dates recorded
1904-1910
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 105

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P105
  • NumistaN# 220490

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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