Second Series of Brazilian Coins

Learn about their technical features.

Face Value (R$) Diameter (mm) Weight (g) Thickness (mm) Edge Material
0.01 17.00 2.43 1.65 Plain Copper-plated steel
0.05 22.00 4.10 1.65 Plain Copper-plated steel
0.10 20.00 4.80 2.23 serrated Bronze-plated steel
0.25 25.00 7.55 2.25 serrated Bronze-plated steel
0.50 (from 1998 to 2001) 23.00 9.25 2.85 Legend *ORDEM E PROGRESSO* BRASIL Copper-nickel
0.50 (2002 onwards) 23.00 7.81 2.85 Legend *ORDEM E PROGRESSO* BRASIL Stainless steel
1.00 (from 1998 to 2001) 27.00 7.84 1.95 Interrupted serrations Copper-nickel (innerpart) and Alpaca (outer part)
1.00 (2002 onwards) 27.00 7.00 1.95 Interrupted serrations Stainless steel (inner part) and bronze-plated steel (outer part)

> 1 cent – R$0.01

Obverse:

Portrait of Pedro Álvares Cabral – Portuguese navigator who, on April 22nd, 1500, discovered Brazil -, To the left, the inscription "BRASIL" and a vessel, symbolizing the Portuguese navigations.

Reverse:

On the left, background diagonal lines make the facial value prominent, followed by "CENTAVO" and the year of minting.

> 5 cents – R$0.05

Obverse:

Portrait of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier (1746-1792), who was hanged due to his participation in the early independence movement, denominated Inconfidência Mineira. Nowadays, he is a hero and civic patron of Brazil. To the left, the inscription "BRASIL" and, in the background, a triangle, symbol of the movement and a dove, symbol of freedom and peace.

Reverse:

On the left, background diagonal lines make the facial value prominent, followed by "CENTAVOS" and the year of minting.

> 10 cents – R$0.10

Obverse:

Portrait of D. Pedro I – proclaimer of the Independence, Brazil’s first monarch. To the left, the inscription "BRASIL" and the scene allusive to Brazil’s proclamation of independence, on September 7th, 1822, in São Paulo state, on the bank of river Ipiranga.

Reverse:

On the left, background diagonal lines make the facial value prominent, followed by "CENTAVOS" and the year of minting.

> 25 cents – R$0.25

Obverse:

Portrait of Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca (1827-1892), - Republic proclaimer and Brazil’s first Republic president. To the left, the inscription "BRASIL" and the Coat of Arms.

Reverse:

On the left, background diagonal lines make the facial value prominent, followed by "CENTAVOS" and the year of minting.

> 50 cents – R$0.50

Obverse:

Portrait of José Maria da Silva Paranhos Júnior (1845-1912), Baron of Rio Branco – Brazilian statesman, diplomat and historian, considered the symbol of diplomacy in Brazil. To the left, the inscription "BRASIL" and a scene allusive to the expansion of Brazil’s foreign policy and the solidification of the national borders.

Reverse:

On the left, background diagonal lines make the facial value prominent, followed by "CENTAVOS" and the year of minting.

> 1 Real – R$1.00

Obverse:

Portrait of the Republic in the inner part trespassing to the outer ring. This constitutes one of the safety elements of the coin. In the outer ring, there are a sample of marajoara art pattern and the legend "BRASIL".

Reverse:

In the outer ring, there is a sample of marajoara art pattern. In the inner part, the sphere is overlapped by a sash, which together with the Southern Cross is allusive to the Brazilian Flag, followed by “REAL” and the year of minting.

Information on banknotes and coins of previous monetary standards to Real can be obtained in the Museum of Money of Banco Central do Brasil.