Portugal 2011 500th anniversary of Fernão Mendes Pinto’s birth
500th anniversary of Fernão Mendes Pinto’s birth
Fernão Mendes Pinto (1509 – 8 July 1583) was a Portuguese explorer and writer. His
voyages are recorded in Pilgrimage (1614), his autobiographical memoir.
The historical accuracy of the work is debatable due to the many events that
seem far-fetched or at least exaggerated, earning him the nickname "Fernão
Mentes Minto" (wordplay with the Portuguese verb mentir 'lie',
meaning "Fernão, are you lying? I am lying."). Many aspects of the
work can be verified, particularly through records of Pinto's service to the
Portuguese crown and by his association with Jesuit missionaries.
The inner part of the coin commemorating the 500th
anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto, a Portuguese explorer whose
book on his discoveries and adventures in the seas and countries of Asia was
published posthumously under title “Peregrinação” (Pilgrimage), depicts a
sailing ship floating on a sea formed by a series of wave-shaped references to
Portugal, Lisbon, his book and some of the destinations of his travels, With
the country designation “Portugal” centred beneath them. His name flanked by the
dates “1511” and “2011” form a semicircle around the upper edge of the inner
part. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.
Weight - 8.5 g.
Quality - UNC (Uncirculated)
Diameter - 25.75 mm.
Composition - Bimetallic - nickel brass clad
nickel center in copper-nickel ring
Circulation - 520'000 pcs.
Country of origin - Portugal
Year of release - 2011
