Brazil 2000 Reis Silver coin 1897 Republic Heads
Obverse: Laureate head left
Reverse: Circle with stars within open wreath
(Russo 676; KM 498)
Composition: Silver
Fineness: 0.9170
Weight: 25.5000g
ASW: 0.7518oz
The so-called “Republic Heads” were struck by the newly formed Brazilian Republic to pay leftover debt (by the Empire) to the British. Most of these coins were subsequently melted by Great Britain, so the large mintages are quite misleading.