MOZAMBIQUE. Colonial. Luís I o Popular (the Popular), as king of Portugal, 1861-1889. Rupee (Silver, 31 mm, 11.52 g, 12 h), countermarked on an East Indian Company Rupee 1840, no date (1889). VICTORIA - QUEEN Bare bust of Victoria to left; countermark: crowned letters P.M. Rev. EAST INDIA COMPANY / ✱1840✱ // ONE / RUPEE / یک روپیہ in three lines within wreath. Gomes 09.02. KM 40.2. Nicely toned. Very fine.


The royal decree of 5 January 1889 ordered that all Theresia Talers circulating in Mozambique be countermarked with a crowned PM in a circle. Later, this provision was extended to all foreign coins. They would eventually be replaced by Portuguese coins as they came through the public treasury. The PM stands for Port Mozambique.