How to Identify the Brazilian 20000 Reis Gold
The Brazilian Empire's gold 20$000 réis coin featured a portrait of the reigning emperor and the national coat of arms, serving as the country's principal gold denomination through much of the 19th century.
Read the full Brazilian 20000 Reis Gold encyclopedia entry →
What the Coin Is
Issued under the Brazilian Empire, the 20$000 réis (twenty thousand réis) gold coin was the empire's leading gold denomination, struck across the reigns of both Pedro I and Pedro II during the 19th century as Brazil maintained an imperial monetary system distinct from its neighboring republics.
Obverse Design & Inscriptions
The obverse features a right-facing portrait of the reigning emperor — either Pedro I or Pedro II depending on the date — in formal imperial dress, with the legend naming the emperor and his title, such as "D. PEDRO II CONSTITUCIONAL IMPERADOR E DEFENSOR PERPETUO DO BRAZIL" or a similar formal inscription for Pedro I.
Reverse Design & Inscriptions
The reverse displays the Brazilian imperial coat of arms, featuring a shield with an armillary sphere at its center, supported by coffee and tobacco branches, and topped by the imperial crown, with the denomination "20000" or "20$000 REIS" and the date below.
Size, Weight, Metal, Edge
Struck in gold at high fineness, the 20$000 réis coin weighs approximately 17.9 grams with a diameter around 30 mm, making it one of the larger gold coins of its era in the region. The edge is typically reeded.
Mint Marks & Where to Find Them
The Rio de Janeiro mint struck the vast majority of these coins; look for a small mint identifier or engraver's initials near the base of the imperial arms on the reverse.
Telling It Apart from Similar Coins
Because the design changed between the reigns of Pedro I and Pedro II, the emperor's portrait style and the specific wording of the legend are the clearest ways to date and identify a given coin. Compare the facial features and hairstyle in the portrait, along with the exact legend text, to distinguish between reigns and to avoid confusion with smaller Brazilian gold denominations that share similar imagery.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Check the emperor's portrait for wear on the highest points — the cheek, hair, and any decorative collar or medal details — as well as the fine lines of the coat of arms on the reverse. A sharply struck, well-preserved coin retains crisp facial features; heavily worn examples show a smoothed, generalized profile.
Authenticity Red Flags
Given the coin's gold content and historical value, verify weight and diameter against known standards, and inspect the portrait's engraving quality — genuine coins show fine, naturalistic detail, while cast counterfeits often display soft, slightly blurred lines and an uneven, grainy surface texture.
Frequently asked questions
Which emperors appear on this coin?
Depending on the date, the coin shows either Pedro I or Pedro II, the two emperors of Brazil during the 19th century.
What is depicted on the reverse?
The Brazilian imperial coat of arms, featuring an armillary sphere on a shield, flanked by coffee and tobacco branches and topped with the imperial crown.
How much gold is in this coin?
It weighs about 17.9 grams in high-fineness gold, with a diameter of roughly 30 mm.
How do I tell a Pedro I example from a Pedro II example?
Compare the portrait's facial features, hairstyle, and the exact wording of the surrounding legend, which differ between the two emperors' reigns.
Where was this coin minted?
The Rio de Janeiro mint struck nearly all examples of this denomination during the imperial period.
Brazilian 20000 Reis Gold identified by the community
Recent Brazilian 20000 Reis Gold coins identified with Coin Identifier.
