30 years of real commemorative coinsMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
1) How many 1 real commemorative coins have already been released?
Of the 89 commemorative coins launched since 1994, 23 are 1 real coins for common circulation. Check out the list here. The first R$1 commemorative coin celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. The most recent marks 30 years of the real.
Ouro Preto commemorative coin obverseMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
2) Why are commemorative coins worth more?
There are two types of commemorative coins: common circulation, whose value is that which is minted on the coin; and collector coins, whose value is always greater than the nominal value shown on the coin, because they are made of noble metals, such as gold, silver or cupronickel.
Coins basically have three values: the nominal value, which appears minted on the coin; the intrinsic value, which depends on the material from which the coin is made; and the numismatic value, which varies depending on rarity, state of conservation and demand among collectors.
Ouro Preto commemorative coin reverseMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
For example, the coin in honor of 300 years of Ouro Preto, from the "World Heritage Cities" series, has a nominal value of 5 reais. Made with 27 grams of silver, it was sold for R$140.00 (intrinsic value) at the time launch and today it costs much more.
2016 Olympics commemorative coin obverseMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
All 2016 Olympic coins also weigh 27g of silver and were initially sold for R$ 195.00.
2016 Olympics commemorative coin reverseMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
However, the nominal value, minted on the currency, is 5 reais. If you go to the bakery, you will only pay for a glass of juice. At a collectors' meeting, it will be worth its intrinsic and numismatic value.
10 reis banknoteMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
3) Why the real name?
The name of the first currency that circulated in Brazil, the real, better known by the plural réis, was rescued. Furthermore, the choice makes a positive association, as the real name refers to what is true. Real money is for real! It is neither illusory nor fictitious!
In Portuguese, the word real has two meanings:
1) “that which exists”, comes from the Latin res (thing);
2) “of the king”, from Latin rex (king).
Banknotes of 5, 10 and 50 reaisMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
4) Were the first real banknotes made abroad?
Yes, but only the amount needed for launch. Casa da Moeda was responsible for producing the R$1 and R$100 banknotes. And the R$5, R$10 and R$50 banknotes were produced by three foreign companies. After the launch, everything was printed at the Casa da Moeda.
Overlapping banknotes of 5, 10 and 50 reaisMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
The names or acronyms of the companies that manufactured the banknotes can be seen in small letters, in one of the corners of the banknotes.
100 reais banknote obverseMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
5) Who is the image on the real banknotes?
It's a woman, however, not a real person! It is the symbol of the Republic, whose origins date back to the French Revolution. Also known as the “effigy of the Republic”, it symbolizes the protective figure of the mottos Freedom, Equality and Fraternity.
Reverses of real banknotesMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
6) Why animals and not historical figures?
For three reasons: 1) real banknotes had to present different characteristics from previous banknotes. 2) The use of portraits of people requires image rights authorizations, which was unfeasible in the short time to design and produce the banknotes.
The third reason deserves likes, claps and hearts: showing animals on banknotes had, and continues to have, the objective of promoting the protection of Brazilian fauna and flora, in addition to preserving the environment.
200 reais banknoteMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
7) Can you see it?
Real banknotes have several security elements. One of them is microprinting, very tiny letters placed on the image of the ballot. Can you see? We will help!
The microprints are usually around the figure of the Republic, in the background illustrations around the animals and inside the numbers.
25 years of real commemorative coin obverseMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
8) Why is there a hummingbird on the 25th anniversary coin?
The image alludes to the engraving of the one real banknote, launched in 1994. The choice of the hummingbird also refers to the stability of the currency, as the bird is able to hover in flight, remaining stable in the air while feeds on flowers.
50 cents coinMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
9) Why is the effigy in a bad mood on the coins?
We couldn't find out the answer because she was busy. In your opinion, what is the reason?
a) Because he doesn't like having his portrait taken
b) Because he has a callus on his foot
c) Because he's hungry
d) Because it all happened so quickly and there was no time to get ready
50 reais banknotes signaturesMuseu de Valores do Banco Central do Brasil
10) I have a collection of banknotes. Do they tell the story?
Banknotes and coins are records from a certain time, which is why they are considered historical documents. With 16 R$50 bills you can find out, for example, who the 12 Finance Ministers and the 9 Central Bank Presidents were during these 30 years of the real.
Seals of the first real banknotes, from 1994, with the signatures of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Minister of Finance, and Pedro Sampaio Malan, President of the Central Bank.
Seals of the current Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, and President of the Central Bank, Roberto Campos Neto.
Numismatic images: collection of the Museum of Securities of the Central Bank of Brazil
Photographs: Diego Bressani, Dalton Camargos, Denir Mendes Miranda, Raphael Ribeiro
Conception and selection of content: Denir Mendes, Giovanni Gaio and Karla Sá Valente
Production: Central Bank of Brazil | Department for the Promotion of Financial Citizenship - Depef | Division of the Museum of Values
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.