Coins of Portugal and Brazil circulated extensively in the American colonies and the Caribbean. The Portuguese gold 4000 reis was the "moidore" from "moeda de ouro" or "money of gold." The gold 6400 reis coin was the "joe" or "half joe" named for for Johannes, the Latin name of King João V (John V). Some of these coins were minted in both Portugal and Brazil. Portugal also used escudos; 6400 reis was 4 escudos and 12800 reis was 8 escudos. The Portuguese escudo coins had slightly more gold than the Spanish equivalent escudo coins. Portugese copper coins also circulated as "small change" along with many other foreign coins and tokens. The cross on the coins is the "Order of Christ" cross, a heraldic cross exclusive to Portugal. The Order of Christ was a Portuguese military order founded as a successor to the Crusader Knights of the Temple of Solomon, also known as the Knights Templar or Templars. The Latin phrase "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" means "In This Sign, Conquer." It is based on a story about the Roman Emperor Constantine (ruled AD 306-337) seeing a Christian Cross in the sky before a battle. The phrase is one of the national mottos of Portugal.

Gold, 29 mm, 10.71 gm
Obverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal
PETRVS II D G PORT ET ALG REX / 4000
(Peter II by the Grace of God, Portugal and Algarve, King)
Reverse:
Order of Christ Cross
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES / 1704

Gold, 32 mm, 14.06 gm
Obverse:
Head facing right
IOHANNES V D G PORT ET ALG REX
R/1738
Reverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal

Portuguese "half joes" or "joes" were the commonest gold coins encountered in late 18th century colonial and post revolutionary America. They were worth around eight Spanish dollars at the time.

Gold, 32 mm, 14.33 gm
Obverse:
Heads of Maria I and Peter III facing right
MARIA I ET PETRUS III DG PORT ET ALG REGES
1786/R
Reverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal

Peter was Queen Maria's husband and her uncle.

Gold, 38 mm, 28.58 gm
Obverse:
Head facing right
IOHANNES V D G PORT ET ALG REX, M/1732
(John V by the Grace of God, Portugal and Algarve, King)
Reverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal

This large coin was known as the "joe", "double joe", or "dobra."
They were minted in Portugal (Lisbon) and Brazil (Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais).

Gold, 32 mm, 14.30 gm (approx)
Obverse:
Head facing right
IOHANNES V D G PORT ET ALG REX, R/1750
(John V by the Grace of God, Portugal and Algarve, King)
Reverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal

This was part of a consignment sent by Robert Clive "Clive of India" from London to India in 1755.
He sent them on a ship, the "Doddington", which sank off the coast of South Africa.
In 1977, the coins were recovered from the shipwreck.
Graded by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) as:
"1750R Brazil 6400R / UNC Details / Environmental Damage / Clive of India Treasure"

Silver, 36 mm, 14.86 gm
Obverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal
MARIA I D G PORT ET ALG REGINA / 400 / 1798
(Mary I by the Grace of God, Portugal and Algarve, Queen), 400 Reis, 1798
Reverse:
Order of Christ Cross
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

Silver, 40 mm, 26.80 gm
Obverse:
Crowned arms of Portugal and three petals at right
JOANNES.D.G.PORT.P.REGENS.ET.BRAS.D.
(John, by the Grace of God, Prince Regent of Portugal and Defender of Brazil)
Reverse:
Order of Christ Cross with globe and astrolabe (a navigation device)
SUBQ. SIGN. NATA STAB., 'R' in center (Rio de Janiero mintmark)
Subquo Signo Nata Stabili (Under This Sign Was Born And Will Remain)

This coin struck over a Spain Fernando VII 8 reales minted in Lima

Copper, 33 mm, 11.09 gm
Obverse:
Crowned shield of Portugal
JOSEPHUS I DEI GRATIA (Joseph I by the Grace of God)
Reverse:
Value 'X' within wreath / 1764
PORTUGALIÆ ET ALGARBIORUM REX (Portugal and Algarve)