Historical Context
The 500 Cruzeiros coin was issued in Brazil in 1992 (and also in 1993) during the Cruzeiro BRE period (1990–1993).
This was a turbulent economic time, marked by high inflation and monetary instability. The Cruzeiro BRE was replaced in 1993 by the Cruzeiro Real.
The coin is part of a series dedicated to Brazilian wildlife, featuring the sea turtle as an ecological symbol.
Technical Specifications
Key specifications of this coin:
- Face value: 500 Cruzeiros
- Minting period: 1992–1993
- Mintage:
- 1992: 250,000,000 units
- 1993: 105,000,000 units
- Composition: Stainless steel
- Weight: Approximately 2.66 g
- Diameter: 19.00 mm
- Thickness: ~1.6 mm
- Edge: Smooth
- Orientation: Coin alignment (↑↓)
- Demonetized: Withdrawn from circulation in 1993
Design
- Obverse: Inscribed with “BRASIL,” the year (1992 or 1993), and the denomination “500 Cruzeiros.”
- Reverse: Features a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) with detailed shell and marine vegetation, along with the inscription TARTARUGA MARINHA.
- Theme: Brazilian fauna, emphasizing environmental preservation.
Numismatic Significance
- Brazilian Fauna Series
- The sea turtle highlights Brazil’s marine biodiversity, making the coin not only a medium of exchange but also an educational and symbolic object.
- High mintage
- With hundreds of millions of units minted, the coin is not extremely rare.
- Its commonality means its market or catalog value is relatively low for circulated coins.
- Durable material
- Made of stainless steel, the coin resists wear, making it easier for collectors to preserve in good condition.
Market / Numismatic Value
Based on catalogs and collector sites, the estimated value of this coin is:
- Numista: 1992 coins can be worth approximately $0.86 USD uncirculated, while circulated examples are around $0.54 USD.
- World Coins Catalog: Values range from $0.41 to $0.73 USD depending on condition.
- Brazilian numismatic shops: Well-preserved coins (MBC condition) from 1992 are priced around R$ 8.89.
- Foronum: Values range between €0.43 and €0.77 based on condition.
These numbers show that today the coin has more collectible than intrinsic value (stainless steel has low scrap value).
Factors Influencing Value
- Condition: Uncirculated coins are more valuable.
- Year: 1992 and 1993 mintages differ, but neither year is extremely rare.
- Thematic appeal: Collectors interested in Brazilian fauna may pay more for the sea turtle design.
- Certification / authenticity: Coins documented by reliable numismatic sources are valued higher.
Final Considerations
The 1992 500 Cruzeiros coin is a representative piece of Brazilian numismatics from the 1990s. Despite its recent circulation and high mintage, it holds historical and ecological appeal, particularly as part of a series celebrating wildlife.
For beginner collectors, it is an excellent addition due to its affordable price and symbolic sea turtle design. For serious investors, its value growth potential is limited, but it remains important for thematic or historical collections.
