1901 Azores Portugal 5 Réis  {1-year issue} 

king Charles I

The Azores (Portuguese: Açores, officially the Autonomous Region of the Azores (Região Autónoma dos Açores), is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal (along with Madeira). It is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,400 km (870 mi) west of Lisbon, about 1,500 km (930 mi) northwest of Morocco, and about 1,930 km (1,200 mi) southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.

FEATURING 
front: Crowned arms of Portugal

Lettering: CARLOS I REI DE PORTUGAL
Translation: Carlos I King of Portugal

After the official recognition of the Kingdom of Portugal as an independent country in 1143, 5 silver bezants were added to the blue cross of the shield, symbolising coins and the right of the monarch to issue currency.

Late explanations interpret them as the five wounds of Jesus Christ, also a traditional legend explains that these escutcheons represent the five moor kings defeated by King Afonso I of Portugal in the battle of Ourique.

From the fixation of the number of bezants in five, each of the escutcheons of the Portuguese shield became popularly referred as a quina (quincunx). By synecdoche, the term "Five Quinas" or simply the "Quinas" came to be used.

The golden castles surrounding the quoins supposedly represent the Moorish castles conquered by the Kingdom of Portugal during the Reconquista. Their origin is probably Castilian.

back: Value within wreath, date below

• quantity 1
• demonetized {no longer in circulation} polished Copper coin
• diameter: 25.4 mm
• weight: 4.9 g

CHOOSE FROM DROP DOWN MENU 
• 21” bronze link chain with lobster clasp {4x6 mm links}
• no chain or cord
• 2-1/2" brass snake keychain with snap end {see last photo} 

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Portugal Portuguese jewelry coin pendant necklace 5 Quinas castles Lisboa Oporto Sintra Braga Quincunx cross Coimbra Évora Faro Santa Maria de Belém Douro River Mirandese Iberia Castilian Vila Nova de Gaia Guimarães Pena Palace castle Algarve Praia da Marinha Lisbon Porto Vasco da Gama age of discovery seas atlantic ocean ship anchor caravela carrack