Lot 1626

Description

Indo-Portuguese, Malacca, Manuel I (1495-1521), gold cruzado, probably issued late in reign 1517-1521, (3.932 grams), 22 mm., obv. ENANVEL P R P ET :AD CVINEE, within border the crowned royal shield, rev. IN HO SIGNO SALVATVR MVNdVS, cross of Christ, (cf.SS M.20 [for obverse legend type], cf.Gomes p.166-7 for similar types, cf.Gomez [p.106-7 and large colour plate]). Very fine and excessively rare, unpublished.

From the same old collection formed in South East Asia of many coins in this sale of this part of the world. It is believed to have been in his collection for many years. This large and attractive coin has not previously been published for Malacca. It's style is close to that issued by Lisbon for this reign but is heavier and differs considerably from the other issued types particularly on the reverse. Malacca issues in gold are for the half value and have no similarity to this piece. The obverse lettering in style is similar and reads the same as the issues of Aleixo de Menezes coinage of 1517-1521 for his issues of bastardo's (SS p.25). The reverse legend type is new and is a developed and extended variation to the silver tostao as issued in Lisbon.