Joseph I, full name José Manoel Francisco António Inácio Norberto Agostinho de Bragança, was born on 6 June 1714 in Lisbon and ascended the throne in 1750 after the death of his father, John V. His reign lasted until 24 February 1777, when he died at the age of 62. He entrusted the actual governance to his chief minister, the Marquis of Pombal, who introduced radical reforms in education, the economy and public administration. Lisbon earthquake of 1755: One of the greatest disasters in the history of Portugal. After the earthquake, the king suffered from severe claustrophobia and never lived in a stone building again - he lived in tents instead. In 1758, he was assassinated, which was blamed on the Jesuits. This led to the expulsion of the Jesuit order from the country. Seven Years' War (1762): France and Spain invaded Portugal, but with British help the invasion was repelled. In 1729 he married the Infanta Mariana Victoria of Spain, daughter of King Philip V of Spain. They had four daughters, but no sons. His eldest daughter, Maria Francisca, married her uncle, Infante Peter, in 1760, and in 1777 they inherited the throne together as Queen Maria I and King Peter III. Although he was not personally an active monarch, Portugal underwent significant modernization during his reign. His equestrian statue in the main square of Praça do Comércio in Lisbon still commemorates him.

Joseph I ascended the throne as a member of the House of Bragança after the death of his father, John V. The government was mainly led by the Marquis of Pombal, who, following the ideas of the Enlightenment, introduced a number of reforms, including the modernization of the economy. After the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, coinage also played a prominent role in the reconstruction of the country. Coinage characteristics Materials: Coins were mainly made of copper, silver and gold. Denominations: The 10 Reis copper coin was common, which was worth approx. It weighed 13 grams and was 36 mm in diameter. Coinage: The coins often bore the name and title of Joseph I: D. José I, Rei de Portugal. Style: The coins also featured classical Baroque motifs and the royal coat of arms. The center of coinage was Lisbon, but mints also operated in other Portuguese cities. The technical level of coinage was high, and Portuguese coins also reached the colonies, such as Brazil. The fight against counterfeiting was strict, as counterfeiting posed a serious economic threat.