Regulated "Gold Joe" (to the NY standard of 1789)

Date1774

Mint Rio de Janeiro Mint

Regulated by Ephraim Brasher (ca. 1744 - 1810)

OriginSouth America, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

MediumGold

DimensionsDiameter: 31 mm Weight: 215.4 grains

Credit LineGift of the Lasser Family

Object number2004-8,46

Label TextJust as American goldsmiths and silversmiths found clever ways to bring underweight coins up to par, other times they needed to officially bring the weight of a coin down for local use. According to an act of July 31, 1789, Brazilian "gold joes" (of 6400 reis) were to be clipped down slightly to contain the precise amount of gold equivalent to $8 New York money.

Noted New York City silversmith Ephraim Brasher officially "regulated" this coin with a number of obvious, straight clips along the bottom edge of this coin and a blow from his punch over the Portuguese king's ear.

The punch struck on this coin is the same one used to mark Brasher's famous gold "doubloons" (worth $15, New York money) also produced in 1789.
Markings"EB" mark of Ephraim Brasher struck over the ear of Joseph I.