A Collection Of Coins From Portugal

Thanks Jecz79


hfjacinto thanks for the photos. Looks amazing.

Nick pickup, Helder.

Beautiful gold coin, hfjacinto.

Nice addition, hfjacinto.

Very Nice addition!

Nice addition to the collection hfjacinto! Thanks for sharing the trip photos too, looks like you had some great weather while there.

Thanks all for the great comments! Today's coin is a modern commemorative. And honestly I think Portugal is running out of things to commemorate. This coin commemorates the merging of Goan and Portuguese furniture making.

The state of Goa on the West Coast of India was a Portuguese colony until 1962 and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture. During the 16th and part of the 17th century, Goa became the warehouse and transshipment port of all trade between East and West and one of the richest cities of that time.

When the Portuguese arrived in India they were confronted by communities and customs very different to their own. Indeed, the Indian populace were not accustomed to sitting on chairs or having furniture in the same way the Portuguese were used to.

To begin with, chairs were brought from Portugal and many ancient documents refer to forms of seating taken from Portugal to India, right from the time of the very first voyage. However due to the growing need, for furniture another solution had to be found.

It was soon discovered that the local craftsmen were highly skilled and they were tasked with making copies of the imported European chairs. These were made from the indigenous exotic hardwoods found in the region such as rosewood. Furthermore, the craftsmen began to adorn the chairs with carved motifs which were Indian in design. This was the beginning of the Indo-Portuguese or Portuguese colonial style seen on many Portuguese colonial chairs.



To respond to the growing demand for seating, by the Portuguese in Goa, carpenters and master craftsmen became more organised. Workshops appeared in churches and mansions and also in streets dedicated to the production of chairs and seating in general.



The coin comes in a beautiful case.




The case is lucite and cork. The lucite is held in place with Magnets.


The coin:
Issuer: Portugal
Period: Third Republic (1974-date)
Type: Non-circulating coins
Year 2023
Value: 5 Euros
Currency: Euro (2002-date)
Composition: Silver (.925)
Weight: 14 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Technique: Milled, Coloured
Orientation : Medal alignment
References: KM##8239;948a
Mintage: 3000




I purchased this one due it being colored, always wanted a colored coin and also my great-great grandfather was from Goa.

Beautiful coin, hfjacinto! And thank you for providing the historical background of the Indo-Portuguese furniture industry.