Portugal - D. Fernando I (1367-1383) - Gold - Meia Dobra Pé-Terra; Lisbon; +FERnAnDV x-x S xx REX xx POTVG / +FERnAnDV xx REX:PORTVGLI ALG; Only Known Exemplar with the mark L; G.91.-, JS Fe.4, Fr. 5; 2.55g; Unique ; UNC

In the reign of King D. Fernando I, the last of the Afonsine dynasty, we can find the second group of Portuguese gold coins, which were characteristic of the last hundred years of the millenium known as the Middle Ages, which only ended in 1453, during the reign of D. Afonso V. This group has its origins in the monetary type known as Double or Dobra, coins with a value twice that which was normal, first issued by the Almohads throughout the 12th century and which soon occupied the place left by the Morabitino as a universal coin.

The Meia Dobra, both in form and quantity of gold and even name, would be copied by various Christian nations, but adapted to the Gothic style which flourished at the time. In Portugal it was present in the form of the Meia Dobra Pé-Terra of King D. Fernando, struck at the start of his kingdom and now extremely rare. It is, however, considered acceptable that this type of Meia Dobra of the Portuguese Kings could have emerged earlier, in the possible gold coins of King D. Pedro I which are unknown but mentioned in chronicles.

Numisma is offering for sale a Meia Dobra Pé-Terra of King D. Fernando, in a magnificent state of conservation. Practically new, it has an excellent relief with a good portrait of the King standing facing, crowned and in full armour, holding sword and leaning on shield bearing five besants ("quinas"), representing the Portuguese coat of arms, all within Gothic portico. On the reverse there is a large floriated cross, with central small arms and rosetes on spandrels, all located within a quadrilobe, showing the influence of contemporary French coins.