World Silver & Bronze Coins (Cyprus - Z)

Lot 2248    Session 9 (4.30pm Wednesday)    World Silver & Bronze Coins (Cyprus - Z)

Estimate $300
Bid at live.noble.com.au

INDO-PORTUGUESE, Malacca, Manuel I (1495-1521), tin bastardo, first issue (1511) (43.48 g), 39mm., obv. D M P R DE PV SOR DIE MALA, armillary sphere, rev. CRVX XPI NOSTRE SPES VNICA, cross of christ, (SS M.11, Vaz E.1.16, Gomez [p.116 noted R2 and large colour plate]). Very fine and rare.

Ex Decades Collection and acquired from Noble Numismatics Sale 73 (lot 1940).

This large and attractive coin was only known through documentary evidence until the beginning of the 20th century, when several examples appeared during dredging of the Malacca river. Since that time, more have been found at excavation sites and completely unknown types of Indo-Portuguese coins have appeared. There are believed to have been at least three issues of these bastardos of 10 solidus or 100 dinheiros noted in descending order according to weight and diameter. This specimen belongs to the earliest minting ordered by Alfonso de Albuquerque which have a diameter of 39-44mm and a weight of 46-56 grams. They were later reduced to 35mm and 35 grams.