Silver coin, part of the "Discovery" series of commemorative coins minted in 1932
Celebrates the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil by Europeans
Features bust of Portugal's King John III
During his rule, Portuguese possessions were extended in Asia and in the New World through the Portuguese colonization of Brazil
John III's policy of reinforcing Portugal's bases in India (such as Goa) secured Portugal's monopoly over the spice trade of cloves and nutmeg from the Maluku Islands, as a result of which John III has been called the "Grocer King"
On the eve of his death in 1557, the Portuguese empire spanned almost 1 billion acres (about 4 million square kilometers)