Pedro II Cut Counterstamped "Balastraca" of 100 Reis ND (1864-1870) XF, KM-B471, LMB-665, Bentes-603.03 (R1), Pratt-MR5. Incuse counterstamped "100" applied to a 1/4-cut Spanish Ferdinand VII 2 Reales in VF condition with 5-dent serrated edges. A scarce issue, made during the Triple Alliance War (Paraguay War), during periods of siege and scarcity of coinage. In his 1908 "Catálogo da Collecção Numismática Brasileira", Augusto de Souza Lobo wrote that the Balastracas had ample circulation in the Brazilian southern provinces, one Balastraca being worth 400 Reis (the value of a Spanish Peseta, or a colonial 2 Reales). The complete coins were stamped 400 Reis, coins cut in 1/2 received the 200 Reis stamp and the 1/4's were stamped 100 Reis. He added that the reeded edges come from being fractioned with chisels, leading to cut pieces with very irregular weights.

HID09801242017

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