Esphera Publique Deposited
The name given to a gold semi-Cruzado, issued under Manuel I (1495-1521), and struck at Goa under the government of Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515). The obverse has the word MEA (half) under a large crown, and the reverse shows a large sphere from which the coin derives its name. See Teixeira de Aragao, Descripcao das moedas de Portugal. 1875-80 (i. 1).
A copper coin of the same name was struck under Antonio (1580) for the Portuguese colonies in India.
- Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)