Itau Numismatica

The Herculano Pires Museum of Itaú Numismática is one of a kind and it is structured to receive both specialized public and general public, offering the needed information to all sorts of cultural interests and age groups.

The visits can be individual or monitored; in this case groups of 10 to 20 people, previously set up, in Portuguese or English.

The presentation begins with an informative video, calling to the attention of the participants the relevant points of numismatics and the history of Brazil, which is told in 32 modules, chronologically displayed, giving notability to important issues, documented by coins, medals and badges of honor.

Each module presents in its superior part, a panel with the image of the governor, coat of arms and flag of the time, as well as social-political and economical information of the period. In the central part of the displays you have the coins, medals and badges of honor, together with numismatic information. The lower part of the display shows the iconography of the Portuguese/Brazilian city through engravings, paintings and pictures. Each module is accompanied by soundtrack of music of the period.

This way the visitors of a group, go through 500 years of Brazil’s history in 40 minutes itineraries, which can be abbreviated to 30 minutes or increased to 100 minutes, all according to the details the group has most interest in.

With the purpose of putting the spectator in universal time, the displays have on its base a chronological tape, presenting the main historical, political and social events of Brazil and Portugal specially, and of the world in general, embracing the space of time between the years 1500 and 2000.

For the specialists, a round table shows around 236"patacões", an ancient Portuguese copper coin, allowing for detailed observation through a powerful Leica lens which enlargens objects up to 40 times.

The most distinctive pieces of the collection (which is made up of about 6558 pieces, 1500 of which are shown in the museum) are the following:

Dutch Obsidional Coins - Minted in the palace, in 1645/46, under siege and strong pressure by the Portuguese/Brazilian troops after being defeated in the Taboca Battle, with gold having come from Guinea.

Today they are absolutely rare, mostly because the mercenaries who worked for the Dutch got them, and on their way back to Holland, would trade them in for regular currency, and the Portuguese/Brazilians that obtained them in exchange for food, immediately had them melted, as possession of these coins was the proof of treason, which was punishable by hanging.

The pieces shown at the museum proceed from the rescue in 1970, of the safe of a Dutch boat which had sunk at the time, on the shores of Itaparica Island.

Monetary Endeavor Terra Santa Crvsis - It's the only numismatic piece to carry Brazil's primitive name. There are only two specimens that are known, and the other one is in the lot of Bank of Portugal.

Doubloons - Minted in 1724/27 by order of D. João V (during the peak of the gold cycle), not only are they beautiful in their magnificent design, they present almost 55 grams of gold, being considered the coin with the most intrinsic value ever to have been dealed in the world.

Gold Bars - The gold ploughed in the mines could not circulate in the format of powder or nuggets, which was considered fraud and punishable by hanging. It was necessary for the results of the ploughing to be taken to the casting houses in order to be "quinted" and then minted or transformed in to official bars with all the seals that attested to its validity. Today they are extremely rare and very disputed in auctions, where they reach high prices. The Museum possesses six magnificent specimens.

The Cayenne Takeover - When the Royal Family came to Brazil, fleeing from Napoleon, D. João VI, in retaliation, ordered Cayenne to be invaded, capital of the French Guyana. In order to celebrate this event, the coin was minted in 1809, in England, a beautiful medal, which today is considered to be the first Brazilian military medal.

Coronation Piece - When D. Pedro I was crowned on December 1st, 1822, coins were minted with the purpose of contributing to the church, as was tradition the Portuguese kings always did this on the day of their crowning. But since it did not satisfy the Emperor and because it showed flaws and inconveniences in its design, and also because there was no more gold, only 64 specimens were minted and today only 14 are known of.

Due to its historical value, it is today the most valuable of Brazilian numismatics, reaching the price of US$ 200,000.00 apiece.

The Order of the Rose - When D. Leopoldina passed away, the first wife of D.Pedro I, the court and the people awaited the marriage of the Emperor to his favorite mistress, the Marchise of Santos. Due to political reasons and because the Emperor's feelings were already worn out, an emissary was sent to Europe in search for a bride. The chosen one was the Bavarian Noble Amélia de Leuchtenberg. Filled with emotion at the arrival of his bride-to-be, D. Pedro I, when seeing her for the first time, blond, blue-eyed and in a pink dress, in romantic ecstasy, decrees the Order of the Rose, which would become the most important citation of the Brazilian Empire. Exhibiting in its center the phrase "Love and Fidelity", and on the reverse side "Pedro and Amélia", it's a beautiful piece in enamel, gold and silver, which can be seen in the Museum.

Opening hours :
Tuesdays through Fridays: from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Entrance is free of charge

Monitored visits for groups of 10 to 20 people should be scheduled a few days before.

In order to set up monitored visits please call: +55 11 3268-1876
Fax: +55 11 3268-1775

Activities near to Itau Numismatica

Casa das Rosas Cultural Center (theater) - Casa das Rosas (The House of the Roses) Haroldo de Campos - Poetry and Literature Space is a Cultural Center located at 37 Avenida Paulista, one of the last houses in the country's busiest boulevard. The dreamlike atmosphere of the old building and its garden, in contrast with modern urban structure translates the real meaning of the place: a refuge where all poetic expression finds its space. A territory where artistic freedom... Address: Avenida Paulista, 37 - Bela Vista, São Paulo, 01311-000, Brazil Distance: 0.13km from the Itau Numismatica
New Year´s Eve in São Paulo (festival) -   On one side, 6 shows, 15 minutes of fireworks and 2 million people in the Avenida Paulista. On the other, four stages, 20-minute fireworks show and the expectation of more than two million revelers on Copacabana Beach. The New Year's Eve celebrations in Sao Paulo and Rio are as follows: in similar numbers, different in style.   The most obvious contrast is the picture, but artists who will appear in the tw... Address: Av. Paulista São Paulo Distance: 1.10km from the Itau Numismatica
Memorias do Bexiga Museum (museum) - Museu Memorias do Bexiga Rua dos Ingleses 118 Bairro da Bela Vista Tel 3285-5009 Address: Rua dos Ingleses 118 Bairro da Bela Vista, São Paulo, Brazil Distance: 1.24km from the Itau Numismatica

Restaurants near to Itau Numismatica

Hotels near to Itau Numismatica

Grand Plaza Hotel The Grand Plaza Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Sao Paulo. The Grand Plaza Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. All of the guestrooms are replete with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, in room safe, television. The basic amenities provided at this Sao Paulo accommodation comprise room...

Ramada Sao Paulo Jardins Located in Vila Mariana, Ramada Sao Paulo Jardins is a perfect starting point from which to explore Sao Paulo. Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all you need for a good night's sleep. To be found at the hotel are elevator, safety deposit boxes, 24hr room service, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning. Designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, each ro...

Escambo Hostel Escambo Hostel is conveniently located in the popular Vila Mariana area. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. 24hr room service, safety deposit boxes, business center, restaurant, bar/pub are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Relax in your comfortable guestroom, featuring non smoking rooms. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. Fr...

Century Paulista Hotel Century Paulista Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Sao Paulo. Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all you need for a good night's sleep. 24hr room service, safety deposit boxes, room service, smoking area, meeting facilities are there for guest's enjoyment. Relax in your comfortable guestroom, featuring shower, air conditioning, televi...