Half-tostão silver coin
John IV (mid-17th century) ・ silver ・ 17th century ・ Kingdom of Portugal
A silver coin of John IV of Braganza, raised to the throne by the restoration of 1640: the shield beneath the crown, and the new king's initials. Independence can be declared in a day, but years must pass before every coin in the marketplace bears the new king's name. When even the little half-tostão circulated with the new legend, independence was complete in the ledgers too.