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Description

A Key from the Bahia Mint

João V gold 12800 Reis (Dobra) 1729-B AU58 NGC, Bahia mint, KM141 (Rare), LMB-100. Second shield. Original "diagonal edge". An absolutely spectacular piece: this Bahia Dobra impressive in strike, grade and eye-appeal. Though struck with crude dies, it's well-rendered on a lustrous and somewhat glossy flan. The scarcest date of the type, this extremely elusive issue may be regarded as one of the keys of the Bahia mint, being only the fourth example we have located coming to auction in the last 20 years, the Petropolis piece an XF (altered surface) and the AU Details RLM piece being the sole other specimen graded. To top it all, it has the the coveted diagonal edge, proving it escaped the 1732 Reform. One of the most impressive Dobras this cataloger has had the pleasure of handling, and one which will likely excite advanced collectors.

Ex. Paulistana Collection

Since gold was scarce in the Bahia region of Brazil, most of the 12800 Reis were struck at the Minas Gerais mint, and to a lesser extent, the Rio mint; as a consequence, Bahia-minted Dobras are considered the rarest of this 12800 Reis type. Additionally, coins minted in Bahia were typically crude, both as a result of the preparation of the dies and the striking process itself, culminating in the immense difficult of acquiring a well-struck and/or problem-free example.

The law of November 29th, 1732 prescribed that the minting of milled edge issues should cease, establishing the new fleur-de-Lis edge. These measures came about not only as a result of the widespread circulation of clipped/tampered coins, but also due to the great number counterfeits then seen in exchange. The coins were to be re-melted (with larger denominations such as the Dobras getting the new edge applied over the old diagonal one), removing the milled edge issues from circulation and uniformizing the new fleur-de-Lis types around the colony. According to the the 1732 Law, whoever was found carrying these old-edge issues would be considered a counterfeiter, suffering the severe sanctions of 4 years of exile in Africa, as well a fine on top of having the unlawful coins confiscated. The very few that survived this period are likely pieces that found themselves away from circulation, perhaps hidden in hoards, taken out of Brazil or lost at sea.

Metal: Gold
AGW: 0.8455oz
Melt Value: $4,282.46
Gold Spot: $5,065/oz (03-06-2026 7:16AM CT)


More information about Brazilian Coins. See also: Brazil World Coin Nationality.

View Certification Details from NGC

Auction Info

Bidding Begins Approx.
March
31st Tuesday
Auction Dates
April
29th-30th Wednesday-Thursday
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24 Days
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