How to Identify the 500 Reis
Recognize a Portuguese silver 500 Reis by Maria II's left-facing bust, the MARIA II PORTUGAL legend, and a crowned coat of arms marked 500 REIS.
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Begin with the legends, because they are the most direct diagnostic. A genuine 500 Reis of this type reads MARIA II PORTUGAL around the portrait and states 500 REIS on the arms side. If the coin names Maria II and Portugal and gives the value as 500 REIS, you are almost certainly looking at this denomination and reign; the observed coin matches on both counts and is dated 1849.
Read the two faces together. The obverse carries a left-facing bust of the queen, draped and cuirassed, in the realistic portrait style of the mid-1800s. The reverse shows a coat of arms beneath a royal crown, with the shield holding Portugal's heraldic devices. This portrait-and-arms pairing is standard for the series and separates it from purely heraldic or lettered issues.
Check metal and size. The coin should show the cool grey-white tone of silver rather than the yellow of gold or the warm brown of copper, and it should feel dense. Within Maria II's silver, the 500 Reis is a mid-to-large crown-style piece, larger and heavier than the minor silver coins and smaller than the 1000 Reis; comparing diameter and weight against catalog figures for the exact type helps confirm the denomination.
Use the date and mint context to narrow the attribution. The type was struck at the Lisbon mint across several years of the 1834 to 1853 reign, so the year in the inscription, such as 1849, identifies the specific issue. Note that Portuguese réis coinage of this period generally relies on legends and heraldry rather than a prominent separate mint mark, so the wording and date do most of the work.
Finally, weigh authentication concerns. Compare the coin's weight and diameter to published standards, since underweight or oddly toned pieces warrant caution, and watch for cast copies with grainy surfaces, soft detail, or an edge seam. Look-alikes include other réis denominations and coins of neighboring monarchs; the combination of the Maria II legend, the 500 REIS value, and correct silver weight is the safest confirmation, and for higher-grade coins, certification by a recognized grading service adds security.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to confirm a coin is a 500 Reis?
Read the reverse for the value 500 REIS and the obverse legend for MARIA II PORTUGAL. Together with a left-facing royal bust and a crowned coat of arms, those inscriptions confirm the denomination and reign.
How do I tell the 500 Reis from the larger 1000 Reis?
Check the stated value and the size. The 1000 Reis reads 1000 REIS and is a larger, heavier silver coin, while the 500 Reis reads 500 REIS and is proportionally smaller. Measuring diameter and weight is the reliable separator.
Are all Maria II 500 Reis dated the same year?
No. The type was issued across several years of her 1834 to 1853 reign, so dates vary. The 1849 example is one specific year; the date in the legend identifies the individual issue and its relative scarcity.
Should I be worried about fakes or altered coins?
Verify weight and diameter against published standards and inspect for cast-copy signs such as grainy surfaces, mushy detail, or an edge seam. For valuable, high-grade pieces, certification by a recognized grading service is the safest confirmation.