1889 2000 reis Brazil

1889 2000 reis Brazil

Minted in Rio de Janeiro. Last year type, 1889 is a very important date for Brazil, since it marked the last year of the Monarchy and the first year of the Republic.

The obverse has the bust of Emperor Pedro II, with the inscription
PETRUS II D.G.C.IMP.ET.PERP.BRAS.DEF., which means "Pedro II, by the Grace of God, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil".

The reverse has the armilliary sphere surrounded by stars, a main element in portuguese heraldry, being incorporated in the modern flag and in a number of historical flags of both Portugal and Brazil.

The armilliary sphere was an astronomical and navigation instrument made of wood or metal rings ("armilas") interconnected around a central axe to form parallels, meridians and the ecliptic, allowing to calculate one's position on the earth surface by examining the stars.

The reverse also has the message "DECRETO DE 1870", order in 1870 when Banco da Bahia become the only bank to issue legal currency.

Barely four years old when his father and family returned to Portugal in 1831, the young Pedro II grew up in Brazil a virtual orphan and received an extraordinary education. Carefully chosen tutors taught the future emperor Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, and English and gave him a broad education in the arts and sciences.While the young emperor-to-be grew up, a council of regents appointed by Parliament ruled the country. For the first time, Brazilians governed Brazil. As in most of 19th-century Latin America, two political parties contended for power.

The constitution did not allow for the coronation of young Pedro II until his 18th birthday, in December 1844. However, several factors combined to result in his coronation in 1840. Pedro was exceptionally mature, and both parties hoped that a monarch would provide the stability to prevent rebellions. In addition, both parties hoped that they might dominate the teenage emperor. In 1840 the Parliament offered the 13-year-old Pedro the crown. He accepted, beginning an era known as the Second Reign that lasted from 1840 to 1889.

By 1889 abolition, republicanism, and dissatisfaction in the armed forces had all eroded Pedro's traditional support from landowners, the clergy, and the military. A small group of conspirators with key support from high-level army officers initiated a coup d'etat on November 15, 1889. The ailing, 62-year-old Pedro found himself with little support and, like his father, chose exile over resistance. The day after the coup the royal family sailed to exile in Portugal and France.

Brazil's first republic was established in 1889. A Constituent Assembly convened to draw up a new constitution and swiftly decreed the separation of church and state as well as other republican reforms. In June 1890 it completed the drafting of a constitution, which was adopted in February 1891. Similar to the Constitution of the United States, Brazil's constitution eliminated the monarchy and established a federal republic, officially called the United States of Brazil.