Brazilian Coin |
Brazilian 200 Reis Coin |
Legend: DECRETO No. 1817 DE 3 DE SETEMBRO DE 1870 *
Reverse: Crowned Brazilian shield within wreath. Legend above, date below.
Lgend. IMPERIO DO BRAZIL - * 1884 *
Reference: KM-484.
Material: Copper-Nickel
Weight: 14.87 gm
Diameter: 32 mm
Milréis
The mil-réis (literally one thousand réis) was effectively a unit of currency in both Portugal (until 1911) and Brazil (until 1942).
The usage of 'mil-réis as a word dates back to the economic crisis of the 19th century, when the currency was devalued for the first time and most prices reached the thousands.
It was replaced in 1911 by the escudo in Portugal [one escudo (1$000)= one thousand réis] and in 1942 by the cruzeiro in Brazil. By the time it was replaced by cruzeiro in Brazil, one mil-réis (1$000) was worth a dozen loaves of bread.