400 Reis Kingdom of Portugal (1139-1910) Gold

1771, Portugal/Brazil, Jose I. Scarce Gold 400 Reis (Cruzado) Coin.

Mint Date: 1771
Denomination: 400 Reis (Cruzado)
Reference: Friedberg 106, KM-248.1.
Mint Place: Lisabon (struck for circulation in Brazil!)
Material: Gold (.917)
Diameter: 13mm
Weight: 0.92gm

Obverse: Cross of Jerusalem with four rosettes in fields. Date in legend above.
Legend: IN . HOC . SIGNO . VINCES + 1771 +

Reverse: Crown above bove name of the King (IOSE/*I*) within wreath. Value (400) below.

D. José (20 August 1761 – 11 September 1788) was the Prince of Brazil and heir apparent to the Kingdom of Portugal until his death in 1788. Born in Lisbon, he was the eldest child of Queen Maria I of Portugal and King Peter III of Portugal, members of the House of Braganza.

José died of smallpox at the age of 27, causing his younger and ill-prepared brother, the Infante John to become heir-apparent and eventually king. John’s reign would be a turbulent one, seeing Napoleonic invasion and the loss of Portugal’s largest and wealthiest colony, Brazil.

José was born at the Real Barraca where the Palace of Ajuda in Lisbon stands today. He was named after his grandfather who was the ruling King of Portugal at the time of his birth. His grandfather created him Prince of Beira, this being the first time when the title was given to a male.

At the time of his birth, his parents were the Prince and Princess of Brazil, his mother the Heir presumptive of the king.

On 21 February 1777, when he was 15 years old, he married his 30-year-old aunt the Infanta Benedita of Portugal. Benedita was an attractive woman and the main candidate for the wife of José. The marriage was the express wish of the king José.

They had no children, however she miscarriaged twice: in 1781 and in 1786. Three days after their wedding, José's grandfather and Benedita’s father the old King José died, and his mother succeeded as queen regnant. Infante José became the new crown prince, being accorded the titles Prince of Brazil and 14th Duke of Braganza.

José died at the age of 27 of smallpox. Upon José's death, his younger brother Infante John became heir-apparent to the throne and thus the new Prince of Brazil. José died on the Ajuda Royal Complex in Lisbon. His mother and wife were very badly affected by his death. His wife would be known as the “Dowager Princess of Brazil” till her death in 1829.

José is buried in the Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza in Lisbon, the resting place for most of the members of the House of Braganza.