Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1886-1889
Composition: 91.7% Silver, 8.3% Copper (0.7515 ounces of silver)
Diameter Type: 37.26 mm (approximate)
Weight: 25.5 grams
Total Mintage: 950,190 (approximate)
Obverse Design: Bust Design
Reverse Design: Imperial Arms
Design
The obverse features the bust image of Emperor Dom Pedro (Peter) II facing left. On the outer periphery are the words "PETRUS II.D.G.C.IMP. ET PERP.BRAS.DEF" or "Peter II by Grace of God and Perpetual Defender of Brazil".
Dom Pedro II was born in Rio De Janeiro on December 2, 1825. Upon the abdication of the thrown by his father in 1831, he ascended the throne as a mere child. He was officially crowned emperor of Brazil ten years later upon reaching adulthood.
Pedro II inherited a nation that was crumbling apart and collapsing into itself. He successfully lead the nation into a prominent emerging power not just in South America but the world until his final rule in 1889 when he was overthrown by a military coup d'état. Today, Dom Pedro II is viewed as a national hero and model Brazilian citizen.
The reverse features the Imperial Arms. On the upper outer periphery are the words “DECRETO DE 1870” or ”Decree of 1870”. On the lower outer periphery is the denomination “2000 REIS”.
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General Market Notes
The key to the series is the 1886 issue with a minuscule mintage of 1,190. The semi-key coin is the 1887 issue.