Brazil
1863 Silver 500 Reis 25mm (6.33 grams) 0.917 Silver (0.1879 oz. ASW)
Reference: KM# 464
PETRUS II D.G. CONST. IMP. ET PERP. BRAS. DEF. 500,Wreath, coat-of-arms.
IN HOC SI- -GNO VINCES, Brazilian Empire coat-of-arms. You are bidding on the exact item pictured, provided with a Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. .svg/250px-Brazil_(orthographic_projection).svg.png)  Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. As the worlds fifth-largest country by both area and population, it is the largest country to have Portuguese as an official language-and the only one in the Americas.
 Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491km (4,655mi). It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile and covers 47.3% of the continents land area. Its Amazon River basin includes a vast tropical forest, home to diverse wildlife, a variety of ecological systems, and extensive natural resources spanning numerous protected habitats. This unique environmental heritage makes Brazil one of 17 megadiverse countries, and is the subject of significant global interest and debate regarding deforestation and environmental protection.
Brazil was inhabited by numerous tribal nations prior to the landing in 1500 of explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral, who claimed the area for the Portuguese Empire. Brazil remained a Portuguese colony until 1808, when the capital of the empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro. In 1815, the colony was elevated to the rank of kingdom upon the formation of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Independence was achieved in 1822 with the creation of the Empire of Brazil, a unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system. The ratification of the first constitution in 1824 led to the formation of a bicameral legislature, now called the National Congress. The country became a presidential republic in 1889 following a military coup détat. An authoritarian military junta came to power in 1964 and ruled until 1985, after which civilian governance resumed. Brazils current constitution, formulated in 1988, defines it as a democratic federal republic. The federation is composed of the union of the Federal District, the 26 states, and the 5,570 municipalities. Brazils economy is the worlds ninth-largest by nominal GDP and seventh-largest by GDP (PPP) as of 2015. A member of the BRICS group, Brazil until 2010 had one of the worlds fastest growing major economies, with its economic reforms giving the country new international recognition and influence. Brazils national development bank plays an important role for the countrys economic growth. Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, BRICS, Unasul, Mercosul, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States, CPLP, and the Latin Union. Brazil is a regional power in Latin America and a middle power in international affairs, with some analysts identifying it as an emerging global power. One of the worlds major breadbaskets, Brazil has been the largest producer of coffee for the last 150 years. |
