Discover how a rare minting error can transform a common 1 real coin into a valuable piece worth up to R$500 for collectors.
A 1 real coin, which has been circulating in Brazil since the launch of the Plano Real, is known for its beauty and historical importance. In addition to their nominal value, some of these coins can be quite valuable to collectors, especially if they have rare characteristics. This article explores how a simple 1 real coin can be worth up to R$500 if it has a specific defect known as “inverted reverse”.
Rare 1 Real Coins
Some coins of 1 real produced in specific years can be more valuable than you imagine, especially if they have minting errors.
The 1 real coins from the years 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 are examples of pieces that can be considered rare.
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These coins are part of the second family of the Plano Real and can still be found in circulation, despite having a nominal value of 1 real.
Characteristics of 1 real coins
According to information from the Central Bank (BC), the coins of 1 real have the following characteristics: they are made of cupronickel and alpaca, have a diameter of 27,0 mm, weight of 7,84 g and thickness of 1,95 mm.
The edge is intermediate serration and the shaft is reverse coin (EH). The circulation of these models began on 01/07/1998 and continues to the present.
The obverse design shows the effigy of the Republic to the right of the silver core, passing through to the golden ring, with references to Brazilian ethnic roots through graphics on indigenous Marajoara ceramics and the legend Brazil.
The reverse features Marajoara indigenous graphics on the golden ring and, on the silver core, a sphere superimposed by a jubilant banner and the Cruzeiro do Sul constellation, alluding to the National Pavilion, with couplets corresponding to the face value and the year of minting.
The government's 1994 plan
The Real Plan, launched on February 27, 1994, was an economic program created to control the hyperinflation that Brazil was facing at the time.
Implemented during the government of former president Itamar Franco and with the collaboration of economists such as Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the plan introduced the new currency, the real, and had a significant impact on the Brazilian economy.
With the success of the Real Plan, inflation was controlled, and the population's purchasing power increased.
The plan also generated a series of rare 1 real coins and other denominations that remain in circulation to this day, increasing collectors' interest in these pieces.
Inverted reverse currency
The value of coins of 1 real can increase considerably if they present a specific error known as “inverted reverse”.
This defect occurs when the reverse of the piece is aligned contrary to the usual pattern.
In the reverse currency pattern system adopted in Brazil, the horizontal axis (EH) is the expected pattern.
To identify a coin with a reversed reverse, hold the piece with its face facing you and turn it from bottom to top.
If the other side appears upside down, it is a coin with an inverted reverse, a rare and valued error.
This type of error can occur in any model, not just 1 real coins, and can significantly increase the value of the piece.
However, defining commercial value can be complicated due to the lack of accurate records on the number of coins issued with this defect.
While many pieces like this still have their face value, those with mint errors, such as an inverted reverse, can be valuable to collectors.
The rarity and detail of the defect are the main factors that determine the value of these pieces on the market.
If you have 1 real coins in your collection or have found some in circulation, it's worth examining them carefully.
A simple minting error can transform a common coin into a valuable piece, possibly worth up to R$500.
Where to sell your 1 real coins?
A Tenor & Pellizzari, known for its operations in the rare and collectible coins market.
The platform allows you to register your coins for evaluation and sale, relying on a buyer base that understands the value of the pieces.
In addition to specialized websites, there are several more comprehensive platforms where you can sell. Among them, the following stand out:
- Mercado Livre: One of the largest marketplaces in Brazil, Mercado Livre has a section dedicated to rare coins. Here, you can create detailed ads, with photos and descriptions, to attract buyers. It is essential to maintain a good reputation as a seller to facilitate transactions.
- Amazon: Although it's best known for novelty products, Amazon also has a collectibles section where you can list your coins. The platform's visibility is a huge draw, allowing your coins to be seen by a global audience.
In addition to online platforms, it is worth considering coin buying and selling events in your region.
Collecting fairs, numismatic conventions and collectors' meetings are excellent opportunities to sell your 1 real coins directly to an interested public and negotiate values in person.