The 6400 réis (“peça”) was the flagship gold coin of Brazil’s Empire, carrying the Pedro I bust and the value that defined large Brazilian transactions. It sits atop the colonial/empire gold hierarchy collectors chase worldwide. This entry covers the Empire issues’ specs, why the denomination matters, and what to check when one crosses your desk.
Key facts
- Dated 1823–1830 under Pedro I (KM# 370); the 6400-réis type descends from the colonial shield/bust gold of João V (1727–1750), struck at Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and Vila Rica mints.
- Specs on the Pedro I issue: gold .917 fine, 14.34 g, ~30 mm.
- Mint marks to learn: R (Rio), B (Bahia) — mint-letter collecting is a core colonial-Brazil pursuit.
- A Pedro II 6400 réis followed briefly 1832–1833 (KM# 387, same weight/fineness) before the 1833 reform moved the gold flagship to the 10,000 réis.