10 Réis - José I (Lisbon)

The 10 Réis coin of José I was minted in Lisbon during the mid-18th century for circulation within the Portuguese Empire, including its vast colonial territories in Brazil. Produced during a period of significant economic restructuring under the Marquis of Pombal, these copper coins served as the primary small-denomination currency for daily transactions. They reflect the administrative consolidation efforts of the Portuguese crown as it sought to standardize monetary output across its maritime interests.

The design follows the classical numismatic traditions of the House of Braganza, featuring the royal coat of arms of Portugal on the obverse and the denomination within a wreath or beaded circle on the reverse. These pieces were struck at the Lisbon Mint, which remained the central production facility for the empire's coinage throughout the reign of José I. While these coins were utilitarian in nature, their clean, legible strike remains a hallmark of 18th-century Portuguese minting standards.