Triton XIX, Lot: 805. Estimate $1500. Sold for $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PORTUGAL, Kingdom. Maria II a Educadora (the Educator). 1834-1853. AV ‘Escudo’ (19mm, 3.36 g). Struck 1834. Crowned coat-of-arms countermarked on a Columbian escudo dated 1812 P JF. Cf. Gomes 15.01-22.04; cf. KM 440.1-44 (none recorded in gold). Countermark Good VF, Host coin Fine. Extremely rare.

This countermark was authorized on 1 September 1834 to revalue the numerous Spanish 8 Reales then circulating in Portugal to 870 Réis. As no gold was to be included in this revaluation, the present coin is likely an illicit example struck by a mint worker as a curiosity.