1502–1557 Portugal Dinheiro Bronze João III Portuguese Inquisition

Coins Of The Portuguese Inquisition

Most people are familiar with lurid tales of the Spanish Inquisition, an infamous centuries-long inquest designed to root out heretics and enemies of the Roman Catholic Church, but fewer people are aware that the equally brutal Portuguese Inquisition was in operation during the same period. Similar to the Spanish incarnation, the Portuguese version was subject to the whims of the monarchy. In practice, however, the Portuguese Inquisition exercised a considerable level of independence from both the crown and the papacy compared to its Spanish counterpart.

The Grand Council Of The Holy Office Of The Inquisition In Portugal

The Portuguese Inquisition was launched in 1536 by papal bull. Five years later, King João III extended the Inquisition to the cover the entire Portuguese Empire. Officially titled the “Grand Council of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Portugal,” the Portuguese Inquisition was founded to combat the alleged heresy of the Protestant Reformation then sweeping through Europe. It was also a thinly veiled movement to persecute Jews and Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula, which had been overrun by Muslim invaders in 711 and were not expelled until 1492. And, just like the more famous Spanish program, the Portuguese Inquisition made ample use of torture to extract confessions. The most serious crimes were Judaism, Lutheranism, Islam, heretical opinions, witchcraft, and bigamy. Thousands of “guilty” people were executed, often by burning them at the stake. Initially established to punish religious deviation, the Inquisition eventually affected nearly every facet of Portuguese life, including politics, culture, and social customs.

In addition to the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition, João’s reign from 1521 to 1557 saw the development of Portuguese seapower in the Indian Ocean and the occupation of the Brazilian coast. Known as “The Colonizer” in some circles, João was also called “The Pious,” due to his role in both the Inquisition and the establishment of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers commonly known as the Jesuits that was founded in 1540.

Vintage 500-Year-Old Portuguese Coin From King João III

Here you have a vintage Portuguese coin struck from 1502 to 1557 during the lifetime of King João III that would have circulated in the Portuguese world during the early days of the Inquisition. This nearly 500-year-old coin is a bronze Dinheiro struck in Portuguese Malacca, a colony in the Malay Archipelago. The obverse features a Cross of the Order of Christ with the letters I(oannes) S(enhor) and MA(lacca). On the reverse is a globe and astrolabe. This scarce coin will come beautifully housed in a fact-filled coin album. Quantities are limited, so secure this superb piece of history right now!