Portugal 20 Centavos {1942-1969} 4S 2H
FEATURING
front: The Portuguese shield: five escutcheons {5 Quinas} forming a cross (five dots within each of the five squares)

Lettering:
REPVBLICA·PORTVGVESA

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: olive branches
The olive fruit/tree (Binomial name: Olea europaea)

• quantity 1
• demonetized {no longer in circulation} polished Bronze coin
• diameter: 20.2 mm
• weight: 3 g

CHOOSE FROM DROP DOWN MENU
• 24” brass ball chain {2.5mm thick, lightweight 5 g}
• no chain or cord
• 2-1/2" brass snake keychain with snap end {see last photo}

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