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The Very Highest Quality Information...
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Portuguese Coins
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Obverse of 1987 Portugal 100 Escudos
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Countries
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Reverse of 1987 Portugal 100 Escudos
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A Brief History of Portugal
Portugal has existed as a political entity since at least 868 A.D. when it was created as a county within the Kingdom of Leon. It was declared as an independent kingdom in 1139 when Afonso I, Count of Portugal, secured a major victory against the Moors in the Battle of Ourique. By 1249, Portugal reached the extent of its modern-day borders when it drove the Moors out of Algarve.
Portuguese global exploration, pioneered by Prince Henry the Navigator, led Portugal, along with Spain to become one of the world’s first global Empires. Portugal founded colonies as far away as India, South America and Africa. However, the rivalry of other Empires, along with the sclerotic development of Portugal during the Industrial Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, saw the decline of the Portuguese Empire relative to those of the Holland, France and Britain.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Portugal was invaded by France via Spain, and the Portuguese Monarchy fled to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and set up court there. After the defeat of Napoleon, the Portuguese court returned to Portugal, but in 1822, Brazil was declared an independent country.
In 1908, following some political turmoil, Portugal was declared a Republic. In 1933, Portugal became a single-party state under the Estado Novo regime. The period of de-colonisation taking part in Africa and elsewhere saw Portugal fighting a series of brutal wars in its remaining colonies, until the Carnation Revolution of 1974 saw the return of democracy and the eventual decolonisation of Portugal’s remaining colonies.
For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from Portugal please see our product index:-
Portuguese Coins
Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from Portugal on our taxfreegold website:-
Portuguese Gold Coins
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...at the Lowest Possible Price
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