Portugal 50 centavos 1974

The coin's story

This bronze 50 centavos coin, 95% copper, 3% tin and 2% zinc, belongs to the monetary system of 1969, introduced by Decree-Law 49167. Both sides are the work of Marcelino Norte de Almeida: the value above five ears of wheat on one side, the five escutcheons of Portugal in a cross on the other. The type was struck from 1969 to 1979, on either side of the Carnation Revolution. According to Numista, the British Royal Mint produced 16,444,444 blank planchets in 1973 for the manufacture of these coins. The 1974 date has 28,719,000 pieces. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 28 February 2002, after the changeover to the euro.