2016-11-22 Tue

Portugal issued a new series of coins named “Ethnographic Treasures” on 15th November which celebrates the country’s historical and cultural treasures.

The latest coin in the series features the town of Barcelos which was earlier a Roman settlement, but later became the seat of the first Duke of Bragança from the 15th century. The Duke and his family held the Portuguese throne from 1640 to 1910 when King Manuel II was deposed. A 1755 earthquake destroyed the Bragança palace which is now an open-air museum.

Barcelos is known as the home of the Galo de Barcelos. As per a 17th-century legend, a Christian pilgrim on his way to Santiago de Compostela was looking for food and water in Barcelos but was accused of stealing the same from a wealthy landowner. The innocent pilgrim was sentenced to death by hanging. Just before he was about to be hanged, he said that if he was innocent, then a rooster that the judge was having at that time will get up and crow, which actually happened and the man was acquitted.

Inspired by this legend, people started decorating their shops with Colourful ceramic roosters which are believed to be symbols of good luck, hospitality where one can enjoy a good meal or a cup of coffee.

The latest coin in this series celebrates the pottery and the Cockerel of Barcelos featuring traditional designs of mythical beasts along with the inscriptions FIGURADO DE BARCELOS and the denomination. The reverse depicts a circle of cockerels around the country’s national coat of arms along with the inscriptions PORTUGAL and the year of issue.

The mintage limit of the 2.50 €uro Cupro-nickel 10 g Brilliant Unc coin is 75,000, that of the 2.50 €uro .925 silver 12.5 g Proof coin is 3,000 and that of the 2.50 €uro .999 gold 15.55 g Proof coin is 2,500.