Portugal 25 escudos – Cortes de Coimbra

The coin's story

This 25 escudos coin in 925 thousandths silver belongs to the series issued in 1985 for the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Aljubarrota, the same type exists in cupronickel for circulation. It recalls the Cortes assembled at Coimbra in April 1385, which acclaimed as king John, Master of the Order of Aviz. Since the death of King Ferdinand in 1383, the Master of Aviz had led the resistance against Castile and had been named “regent and defender of the realm”. Before the Cortes, the jurist João das Regras argued that the throne was vacant, for lack of a legitimate heir, and that the Master of Aviz alone deserved the crown. As John I, the king founded the House of Aviz. The series is the work of the sculptor Clara Menéres, this silver version was struck in 5,000 pieces in proof and 20,000 in brilliant uncirculated quality.