Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 50 Avos 1952, KM# 3, Macau
  • 50 Avos 1952, KM# 3, Macau
Description

Portuguese Macau refers to the period from the mid-16th century until 1999 when Macau, a small territory on the southern coast of China, was under Portuguese administration. Established as a trading post in 1557, Macau became a vibrant hub for commerce between Europe and Asia. It developed a unique cultural blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences, visible in its architecture, language, and traditions. In 1999, Macau was officially handed over to China, becoming a Special Administrative Region (SAR) while maintaining a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Portuguese Macau, encircled by the colony's name in Portuguese at the top, Cantonese inscriptions on both sides, and the value positioned below.

In 1935, Portugal introduced a standardized model for the coats of arms of its colonies, each featuring a vertically divided shield. On the left side, a white field bore five small blue shields with five white dots each, symbolizing the "Cinco Quinas" and representing Portugal. The right side was customized for each colony: for Macao, it showed a golden dragon above green and white waves, reflecting Chinese cultural elements and the city’s maritime character. The entire shield was set on a golden armillary sphere — a traditional symbol of Portugal's Age of Exploration — and topped with a golden mural crown adorned with armillary spheres and crosses of Christ, emphasizing the colony’s overseas status and historical significance as a bridge between East and West.

⋆ MACAU ⋆
伍 澳
毫 門
⋆ 50 AVOS ⋆

Reverse

Depicts the Portuguese escutcheon on a golden armillary sphere, with the country's name above and the date below.

The coat of arms of Portugal is commonly known as the Cinco Quinas (Five Quinas) or simply the Quinas, referring to the five escutcheons in the shape of a cross, each containing five bezants on the Portuguese shield. In the late 14th century, the number of bezants was standardized to five, with later interpretations symbolizing the five wounds of Jesus Christ. The shield is supported by seven golden castles, representing the Moorish fortresses captured during the Reconquista. Behind the shield is an armillary sphere, a navigational instrument that signifies Portugal's prominence during the Age of Discovery.

REPUBLICA·PORTUGUESA
1952

Edge

50 Avos

KM# 3 Schön# 3
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 3.6 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Portuguese Mint and Official Printing Office (INCM)

Related coins

Cupronickel, 5.8 g, ⌀ 23 mm