Portugal 200 Escudos, 1994

200 Escudos from Portugal. Issued in 1994. Struck in Silver (.925). Measures 36 mm and weighs 26.5 g.

Obverse

2 ships, map of the Atlantic, Portuguese coat of Arms and value. The vertical line North-South represents the line of world demarcation newly defined by the Treaty of Tordesillas (7 June 1494) that moved the previously defined line by 50 miles to the west. Portuguese expeditions were to stay east of this line, hence the underlined areas on the map of South America, future Brazil, and the Arms of Portugal on the map of Africa.

Reverse

Above the name of the treaty that led to moving the line of demarcation (defined by Pope Alexander VI in 1493) between Spanish and Portugueses areas to 370 miles West of the Cap Verde Islands (about 1770 km, 46°30' West Greenwich). Images: vertically on the left: Castillian flag, Isabel de Castilla and Ferdinand II de Aragon; vertically on the right = Joao II, king of Portugal and Portuguese flag.

Edge

Reeded