History

The First Medal of Rio de Janeiro (Primeira Medalha cunhada no Rio de Janeiro) was authorized as the first official medal struck in Rio de Janeiro since the Portuguese court moved its seat to Brazil in 1809. Joao VI rose as king to the Portuguese empire in 1818, however, due to the political instability of the period, no coronation medals were produced until 1820.

The Medal was made in bronze and, despite of its name, it was not the first medal struck by the mint of Rio de Janeiro that was founded in 1694.

In 1820, master engraver and sculptor Zepherin Ferrez, member of the French Cultural Mission, produced this medal. The royal bust of Joao VI was approved and used in subsequent medals at the Rio de Janeiro Mint.