Origins and Historical Context

The 1956 50 centavos coin belongs to the Cruzeiro period in Brazil (1942–1967).

In 1956, Brazil still used the centavos denomination within the Cruzeiro, and this coin was minted by the Casa da Moeda do Brasil (Brazilian Mint).

Physical Characteristics and Design

Technical details of the coin:

• Catalog Number: Krause KM# 566
• Composition: aluminum-bronze alloy — typically 90% copper, 8% aluminum, 2% zinc
• Weight: approximately 3 g
• Diameter: about 17.04 mm
• Thickness: roughly 1.9 mm
• Edge: reeded
• Orientation: coin alignment (“↑↓” standard)

Obverse (“heads”)

The obverse shows the Coat of Arms of the Republic (star with inner circle, surrounded by smaller stars, with agricultural symbols), with the legend “REPÚBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL”.
The coin’s designer was Orlando Moutinho Maia.

Reverse (“tails”)

The reverse features the denomination “50 CENTAVOS” with the year “1956” below.

Mintage

The 1956 coin had a relatively high mintage: 32,130,000 units.
This large production means it is not especially rare in terms of quantity.

Numismatic Value

How much is this coin worth to collectors? Some key points:

1. Market Values
   • Prices vary according to condition:
     • VF (Very Fine): ~ US$ 0.15
     • XF (Extremely Fine): ~ US$ 0.25
     • MS (Uncirculated): up to ~ US$ 0.75 depending on MS grade
   • On Numista, the 1956 coin (KM#566) is listed from about US$ 0.47 for VG condition up to US$ 1.40 for UNC (uncirculated).
   • In Brazilian numismatic shops, some sellers list this coin for around R$ 38 if in mint-like condition.
2. Factors Affecting Value
   • Condition: the better preserved (less wear, clear details), the higher the value.
   • Varieties: there are mentions of two types for this coin; some varieties can increase value if properly identified.
   • Collector demand: although produced in large numbers, old Brazilian coins are still sought after by collectors, especially those focusing on the Cruzeiro series.
3. Speculative Values
   • Coins with mint errors or uncommon varieties (e.g., inverted reverse) can fetch significantly higher prices (sometimes up to R$ 350), but this depends heavily on authenticity and condition.
   • These high prices are exceptions and do not reflect the typical market value for standard coins.

Conclusion

• The 1956 50 centavos coin is a representative piece from the Cruzeiro period.
• Its physical characteristics (aluminum-bronze, 3 g, 17 mm) and design with the Coat of Arms and date are well documented and cataloged (KM# 566).
• Despite its high mintage, it remains interesting for collectors, particularly for those completing Cruzeiro collections or collecting 20th-century Brazilian coins.
• In terms of value, it is generally affordable: most coins in circulated or lightly worn condition are inexpensive, while coins in excellent condition or with varieties/errors can reach higher prices depending on the market.