João VI gold Ingot of Vila Rica 1818 UNC, Vila Rica (Minas Gerais) foundry, Prober-1818-V-661 (this piece), Bentes-B.171 (R5; same), Gomes-44.01 (4 examples known). 82x15mm. 36.50gm. Assayer Antonio Delfim da Silva (ADS). A remarkable piece of Brazilian history to say the least, with the vast body of these gold ingot bars having suffered the melting pot during the rampant minting and melting of newly mined specie during the astonishing gold production in 19th-century Brazil. Aside from some minor adjustments, this piece shows a much cleaner finish than is often encountered, the foundry stamp on the far left clear and crisp with absolutely minimal evidence of die rust. Only the second such bar we have handled from João's majority, and the third from this assayer. According to Prober, Hans Kochmann noted that this bar was in the possession of Helio Guimarães of Curitiba, Brazil in 1967. The Minas Gerais (literally, "General Mines") Gold Rush at the turn of the nineteenth century was the first notable movement of the Brazilian population since the first discovery of the mines in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Initially, the Portuguese central government allowed the mining operations provided the quinto (20% tax) was duly paid and this legislation was effective between 1700-1713 but, understandably, not popular. The law of February 11, 1719 authorized the much needed creation of new casas de fundacao (foundries) in the new state and reestablished the quinto for gold dust while forbidding the circulation of gold that was not refined in the casa de fundacao. These measures, aiming to tighten the control of the crown over the exploration, resulted in the 1720 uprising in Vila Rica. The operation of gold melting and creation of the ingots was crafty and careful, each ingot accompanied by a detailed certificate or Guia, while the ingot itself also provided all relevant information: thus the present piece from Vila Rica (the bifacial punch to the left of the obverse) - identified by its year 1818 and its individual number N(umero) 661 - was the 661st bar produced in 1818 at that foundry. The indicated fineness is of 23 carats (Toque 23) and the theoretical weight is of 1 ounce, 2 eighths and 12 grains (indicated as 1 - 2 - 12). All of this is certified by assayer Antonio Delfim da Silva (his monogram ADS is found at the top right on the obverse). This lot is sold with a photocopy from Prober's 1990 work.

HID09801242017

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