Portugal 2.5 escudos 1977 - Centenary of the death of Alexandre Herculano (Proof)

The coin's story

This cupronickel 2.50 escudos coin commemorates the centenary of the death of Alexandre Herculano (1810-1877), writer, historian and poet. A liberal, he went into exile in England and France after taking part in a failed revolt against the reign of Miguel I. He was among the writers who introduced Romanticism to Portugal. He also acclimatised there the historical novel in the manner of Walter Scott, with O Bobo (1843), Eurico, o Presbítero (1844) and O Monge de Cister (1848). Librarian of the Royal Library of Ajuda from 1839, he published from 1846 a História de Portugal based on the original manuscripts, which challenged legends such as that of the Battle of Ourique. The series has three coins, of 2.50, 5 and 25 escudos, all engraved by Marcelino Norte de Almeida. Numista gives 5,990,000 pieces for circulation and 10,000 in proof.