Gaia Municipal Council porcelain tokens
After the Great War (1914-18), the monetary and economic crisis led to the profusion of countless private issues, most on paper, but also coin-like, as these porcelain tokens issued by the Municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia (a town located on the southern bank of the Douro River in front of Oporto) in 1921, which were produced by the Empresa Electro-Cerâmica, situated in Candal, Vila Nova de Gaia.
Values issued were 1, 2, 4 and 10 centavos.
At least four distinct series are known to exist. Two similar series dated 1921, both with medal alignment, only distinguishable by the surface finish, been one matte and the other glazed.
The other two series are non-dated, produced in the same period, with larger diameter and coin alignment, both showing the manufacturer’s brand. In one case a green star, and on the other a EC monogram. From the latter one I do not have example.
Although referred by Mário Almeida in the introduction of the Catálogo Geral de Cédulas de Portugal (Low Value Emergency Paper Money of Portugal General Catalogue) they are not listed, as the propose of the work remain on paper money and not on coin-like issues.
Similar issues are listed as part of lot 260, Numisma auction 67, Lisbon 22JUN2006.
CMG initials stand for Câmara Municipal de Gaia (Gaia Municipal Council).
Matte surface series
1921
porcelain ↑↑
manufactured by Empresa Electro-Cerâmica, Candal - Vila Nova de Gaia
Ø 18 mm 1,97g
Ø 20 mm 1,76g
Ø 22 mm 3,24g
Glossy surface series
1921
porcelain ↑↑
manufactured by Empresa Electro-Cerâmica, Candal - Vila Nova de Gaia
Ø 20 mm 1,97g
Ø 22 mm 2,78g
Manufacturer´s green star brand series
n/d (1921)
porcelain glossy surface ↑↓
manufactured by Empresa Electro-Cerâmica, Candal - Vila Nova de Gaia
Ø 24 mm 3,46g
Other issuers
Café Excelsior
5 centavos n/d (1920s)
Ni(La) Ø 19 mm 1,56g ↑↑
type described by Jaime Salgado in Numismática magazine, n.º 100, SET/DEZ2007, pp 35, ANP, Lisbon
Confeitaria Moreira
10 centavos n/d (1920s)
Ni(La) Ø 23 mm 2,62g ↑↑
type described by Jaime Salgado in Numismática magazine, n.º 100, SET/DEZ2007, pp 33, ANP, Lisbon
