PORTUGAL. Dobra Pé-Terra, ND (1367-83)-L. Lisbon Mint. Fernando I "the Handsome". PCGS MS-65.
Fr-4; Gomes-Fe.92.01/92.02; JS-Fe.1; MNP-239; Vaz-Fe.01; Salgado-FI.1; NVMARIA-Fe.01(same obverse die); BEC-Unlisted. Weight: 5.11 gms. Obverse: Standing facing king holding sword, mintmark to left, within gothic design, legend around "+FERNANDVSxͯR EXxPORTL(U)GALIxͯExͯˣ"; Reverse: Ornate and stylized cross within quadrilobe, legend around "+FERNANDVSoͦDEIoͦGRAoͦREXoͦPORTVGALIoͦALGAR". Beautifully preserved and highly attractive, this type is seldom encountered in any condition, let alone in this fantastic elite state of preservation and being the finest certified of the type on the PCGS population report. The devices are sharply struck and crisp with bold complete legends on both sides complemented by intricate design features. The surfaces offer a shimmery luster that accentuates the finely engraved dies with many nuances. While close inspection reveals methodical die work that was clearly executed by a skilled hand. Pleasing to the eye, this handsome piece displays an attractive pale golden coloration on the high points and exposed areas with a faint apricot tone in the crevasses lending to its originality. Truly a magnificent numismatic treasure of the highest caliber that is certain to garner much attention from quality conscious advanced collectors. Stylistically speaking, this type was clearly influenced by contemporary French coins of similar design and weight, but with a dramatically lower survival rate accounting for their extreme rarity today. It is believed that only about 12 examples are known for all varieties of this type, with the present piece being somewhat special by comparison. The obverse die can be linked to other examples where the stops on the reverse are either ":" or "xͯ". While the reverse of the present piece offers unique characteristics in the form of double annulets (oͦ) as stops.
Ex: Rive Gauche Collection (Numisma Lisbon 12/2002) Lot # 2.

Estimate: $75000.00- $125000.00