Portugal. D. Sebastião I (1557-1578). Tostão (100 Reais) - Lisboa - Coroa Fechada/Tardia - PORTVG:ETAL - Escassa

Portugal's Tostão or 100 Réis coin from the reign of King Sebastião I (1557-1578) is a fascinating artifact from the late Renaissance period in Portuguese history. King Sebastião was a youthful monarch whose reign ended tragically at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir, deeply impacting Portugal's future. The Tostão coin features intricate designs and inscriptions, including references to the Portuguese crown and royal mottos such as 'PORTVG:ETAL,' indicative of the era's coinage style. Minted in Lisbon, the coin bears marks of the 'Coroa Fechada' (closed crown) and 'Tardia' inscriptions, elements valuable to historians and collectors for dating and verifying authenticity. These coins are scarce today, making them prized among numismatists interested in Portuguese history, the Age of Discoveries, and Renaissance numismatic art. Their historical context marks an important phase prior to the Iberian Union and the Portuguese succession crisis.