History and Context

The 5 centavos coin from 1989 is part of the Cruzado Novo period in Brazil (1989–1990), which was a monetary reform aimed at combating inflation.

This coin is popularly known as the “Fisherman coin” due to the figure of a fisherman on the reverse side — part of the “professions” series honoring different occupations.

Technical Specifications

• Denomination: 5 centavos
• Year: 1989 (also minted in 1990 as part of the same series)
• Catalogue: KM# 612
• Material: Stainless steel
• Weight: ~2.26 g
• Diameter: 17.5 mm
• Thickness: ~1.20 mm
• Edge: Plain
• Orientation: Coin alignment (↑↓)
• Mintage: Approximately 270,400,000 units for 1989
• Design:
  • Obverse: Value (“5”), “CENTAVOS,” and “BRASIL,” with two stars representing the value in Braille code.
  • Reverse: Fisherman with a net and two small fish, with the date “1989” below.

Monetary Status

• The Cruzado Novo coin was demonetized after the subsequent monetary reform, so it no longer has legal tender.
• Today, it is a collector’s item, valued more for its design and historical context than its metal content (stainless steel).

Numismatic Value (Collector)

The value of a 1989 5 centavos coin varies according to its condition:

• According to Numista:
  • Good: ~US$ 0.07
  • Very Fine (VF): ~US$ 0.30
  • Uncirculated (UNC / “Brilliant Uncirculated”): ~US$ 0.58
• According to Foronum, UNC coins are around US$ 0.29.
• In the Brazilian market, a coin in “Very Fine” condition can sell for around R$ 1.00.
• Media reports indicate that common 1989 coins have limited value:
  • Very Fine: ~R$ 1.60
  • Superb: ~R$ 3.50
  • Brilliant Uncirculated: ~R$ 9.00

When It Can Be Much More Valuable

Although the 1989 version is common, there is a much rarer variant highly sought by collectors:

• The 1990 coin (same design) had only 934,000 units minted.
• Some 1990 coins feature a dot between the “9” and “0” in the date, significantly increasing their value for collectors.
• For this 1990 variant with the dot, prices can reach:
  • Very Fine: ~R$ 350
  • Superb: ~R$ 490
  • Brilliant Uncirculated: ~R$ 750 (or more depending on condition)

Example Listing

A similar coin available for purchase:

• Brazil 5 Centavos (“Fisherman”) 1989
• Price: ~6.95 €
• Rating: 5/5
• Marketed by numismatic specialty shops

Importance for Collectors

• Historical popularity: It is one of the most recognized coins from the Cruzado Novo period due to its distinctive “fisherman” design.
• Ease of acquisition: With a high mintage (270 million), it is relatively easy to find, even in less-than-perfect condition.
• Potential for appreciation: The 1990 variant with the dot is highly sought after, giving collectors a chance to acquire a rare piece.
• Educational value: An accessible coin for beginners, helping them learn about mintage, coin grades (VF, UNC, Brilliant Uncirculated), and the basics of numismatics without a huge investment.