Münze 7.5 EUROS 2011 - Cruzado of King Manuel I

7.5 ? Portugal 2011

Theme: Cruzado of King Manuel I

Cupronickel - 18.5 g - 33 mm - 30,000 copies

This was the most widespread Portuguese coin in the world, reflecting the power of the Portuga at the height of its glory. The Cruzado, minted in almost pure gold, is one of the coins that Vasco da Gama took with him on his ships to India. This coin was minted in Lisbon, Porto, Goa, Malacca and Coxim. It was minted for more than four decades. It was accepted everywhere as a means of payment. Long after it ceased to be minted in Portugal, its prestige was such that, between 1570 and 1640, several European cities, including those of the Hanseatic League, minted 10-cruzados gold coins, like the Portuguese, with the cross of Christ on the obverse, giving rise to the famous Portugalöser, which sometimes bore the legend: ?Ad valorem Emanvel reg Portugal? and ?according to the right weight and alloy of the Portuguese?.