Old Currency of Portugal: A Guide to the Escudo
Posted by: Ian • 12 Aug 2025
Before Portugal switched over to the euro, its currency was the Portuguese Escudo (PTE). If you've ever stumbled across some old notes or coins from a holiday long ago, you're holding a real piece of Portugal's rich monetary history. And yes, it could still be worth something! Our service offers a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to exchange your leftover foreign currency, including old coins and banknotes like the Escudo.
From Escudos to Euros: A Brief History
The escudo was at the heart of Portuguese life for nearly a century. It was first introduced way back on 22 May 1911, replacing the old Portuguese real. The changeover happened at a rate of 1,000 réis to 1 escudo, a major shift in the country's economic story.
If you've tried to exchange these old notes and coins, you’ve probably realised that high street banks and even the Banco de Portugal won’t take them anymore. Finding a stash of escudos in a drawer can feel like you've missed the boat, but don’t worry—there's still a simple, 100% guaranteed way to unlock their value.
To get a clearer picture of this currency, here's a quick summary of its key features.
Quick Facts About the Portuguese Escudo
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Portuguese Escudo |
| Currency Code | PTE |
| Symbol | $ (cifrão) |
| Subunit | 100 centavos = 1 escudo |
| Period in Use | 1911 – 2002 |
| Replaced By | Euro (€) |
| Exchange Deadline | 28 February 2002 (coins), 28 February 2022 (banknotes) |
This table helps you quickly identify the currency and understand why it's no longer accepted in regular banks. But just because it's obsolete doesn't mean it's worthless.
Our service offers a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to exchange foreign coins and notes, including obsolete ones like the Portuguese Escudo. We make turning your leftover foreign currency into cash completely straightforward.
We’re the trusted choice for major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, to handle their currency exchange needs. That trust comes from our 100% guaranteed process, designed entirely for your convenience.
There’s no need to spend hours sorting your coins or trying to figure out the different denominations. Just send it all to us, and we'll take care of everything, turning your forgotten travel money into cash with minimal fuss.
The Story of the Portuguese Escudo
Every old coin and banknote tells a story, and the old currency of Portugal, the Escudo, has a tale that’s especially fascinating. It first appeared in 1911, right after the monarchy was overthrown, marking a fresh start for the nation. For almost a century, the Escudo’s journey mirrored Portugal's own story of resilience through some of modern history's biggest moments.
The designs and value of the Escudo were constantly shaped by history, from the economic turmoil of World War I to changing global alliances. If you look at the notes and coins from different years, you'll see they're like little time capsules. They feature national heroes, celebrated explorers, and symbols that are deeply rooted in Portuguese heritage. Holding an old Escudo is like holding a piece of the country's past in your hand.
This timeline gives you a snapshot of Portugal’s recent currency journey.
As you can see, there's a clear path from the long-reigning Real to the modern Euro, with the Escudo acting as the main currency for most of the 20th century.
From Pocket Money to Keepsake
For generations, these Escudo coins and notes were used every day across Portugal. But when the Euro was introduced in 1999 and became the sole currency by 2002, the Escudo was slowly phased out. While the official deadlines to exchange them at the bank are long gone, the currency you might have tucked away isn't worthless.
Your collection of leftover holiday money still holds value, and we provide a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed service to unlock it. There's no need to sort your coins or notes; our hassle-free process is designed for your ultimate convenience.
Whether you've stumbled upon a few old coins or a wad of notes, knowing their story makes exchanging them feel a bit more special. If you're curious and want to get into the nitty-gritty, you can learn more about old Portuguese currency in our detailed guide.
As a service trusted by major UK brands including charities, airports, and police forces, we make it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes. Our secure system helps you turn those old Escudos into cash quickly, giving a piece of history a practical purpose today.
How to Identify Your Old Portuguese Currency
Got a pile of old holiday money? Sorting through it can feel like a bit of a puzzle, but figuring out if you have Portuguese Escudos is easier than you might think. While you don’t actually need to identify anything yourself to use our service, it can be fun to know what you’ve got.
The last series of Escudo banknotes and coins have some really distinctive designs that make them easy to spot.
Banknotes came in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 Escudos. Each one is a miniature piece of art, celebrating Portugal’s famous Age of Discovery. Look out for celebrated explorers like Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, alongside beautiful illustrations of sailing ships and armillary spheres—a key symbol from Portugal's golden era of navigation.
The coins are just as memorable. You’ll likely find denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Escudos. They often feature the national coat of arms, historic seals, or stylised symbols of the country’s rich maritime past.
Key Features on Escudo Banknotes
- Explorer Portraits: Look for detailed portraits of famous figures from Portuguese history.
- Maritime Imagery: Many notes feature ships (known as caravels), compasses, and old maps.
- The Word "Escudos": The value is always clearly printed, usually with the word "Escudos" right beside it.
While it's interesting to take a moment to admire these designs, remember our entire process is built to be completely hassle-free.
Forget spending your time trying to sort through old coins and notes. Our service is designed for simplicity—just send us all your leftover foreign currency mixed together. We’ll do all the hard work for you.
This simple approach is at the heart of our fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed service. We believe you shouldn’t have to be a currency expert just to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash. It’s a reliable system trusted by major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces.
All you have to do is gather your leftover holiday money, send it to us, and let our team handle the rest. Ready to get started? Visit our homepage to see just how easy it is.
Understanding the Escudo's Exchange Value
So, you've found a stash of old Portuguese money. What was it actually worth back in the day? Like most national currencies, the Escudo’s value shifted over the decades, often being pegged to major global currencies like the US dollar to keep things stable.
A key moment came in 1949, when the Escudo was devalued by 13% against the US dollar. This adjustment set its relative value for many years. When Portugal finally joined the Eurozone, the exchange rate was locked in for good at €1 = 200.482 PTE. This is the final, fixed rate that forms the baseline for its value today.
Why You Can't Exchange Escudos at the Bank Anymore
If you take your old Escudos to the Banco de Portugal today, you’ll be politely turned away. The window for exchanging Escudo coins officially closed way back in 2002, and the deadline for banknotes passed in February 2022.
But just because the official channels are closed doesn't mean your currency is worthless. It simply means you need a specialist service that knows how to convert foreign coins and banknotes that are no longer in circulation. That's where we come in.
We built our process around this very situation, ensuring you get a fair rate based on the currency's final established value.
We offer a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed way to exchange your leftover foreign currency. Our service is trusted by major UK brands, including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces, because we make the process completely hassle-free.
You don’t need to be an expert on historical exchange rates or spend hours sorting through a pile of old coins and notes. We handle everything for you. Our whole mission is to make it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes, turning that forgotten money into real, usable cash.
Whether you're looking to cash in on leftover holiday money or want to donate foreign coins to charity, our streamlined service is the perfect solution. Just gather up your old currency, pop it in the post to us, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Ready to see just how easy it is? Head over to our homepage to get started today.
How to Exchange Your Portuguese Escudos Today
Found a stash of old Escudo coins and notes tucked away in a drawer? Many people have leftover currency from past holidays, thinking it’s now worthless. But those old coins and banknotes from Portugal can still be turned into cash, and our process makes it swift, simple, and secure.
We're proud to be the trusted choice for major UK charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces when it comes to handling obsolete currency. They rely on us because our service is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed.
It only takes a few simple steps to convert foreign coins and banknotes into pounds you can use.
- Gather up all your Portuguese Escudos—there is absolutely no need to sort them!
- Pop your coins and notes into any secure envelope or small box.
- Send your package to us using your preferred courier service.
- Receive your payment, fully verified, quickly and securely.
For some extra practical advice on getting your currency to us safely, check out our guide on how to exchange foreign currency.
When Portugal joined the Eurozone, the official conversion rate was locked in at €1 = 200.482 Escudos back on 1 January 1999. While euro notes and coins became the norm by 2002, the Banco de Portugal actually continued to exchange old escudo banknotes right up until 28 February 2022. It shows just how long these monetary transitions can take! You can read more about the switch on Pound Sterling Live.
Practical Tips for Packaging Your Currency
One of the biggest chores with old coins is sorting through them all. Forget that. We handle all the counting and sorting for you. Our hassle-free process is designed to save you time.
Just to give you a real-world insight, 1kg of mixed Escudo coins could be worth around £3.50.
To make sure everything arrives safely, here are a few handy tips:
- Use a sturdy box or a padded jiffy bag to cushion the coins and stop them rattling around.
- Tuck a note inside with your contact details and preferred payment method (PayPal or bank transfer) so we can process your payment without delay.
- Always keep a hold of your tracking number for peace of mind.
“I was amazed by how easy it was to exchange my old Portugal coins. The service was so fast and completely hassle-free.” – Emma, a happy customer.
We accept all your old Portuguese currency, including the rarer commemorative issues and even items that are a bit worn or damaged. It's all part of our fast, easy, and reliable service.
Best of all, our 100% guarantee means you can send your Escudos to us completely risk-free. If for any reason you're not happy with the quote we provide, we’ll return your currency to you free of charge. No hidden fees, no nasty surprises.
Ready to get started? Visit our homepage and turn those old Escudos into cash today.
Turn Your Old Currency into a Charitable Donation
Found some old Portuguese currency tucked away in a drawer? Instead of letting it gather dust, you have the chance to turn it into something genuinely meaningful. To donate foreign coins to charity is a brilliant way to support great causes, and we make it incredibly simple.
We’re proud to partner with many of the UK’s leading charities, helping them transform forgotten foreign coins and banknotes into vital funding. Your old Portuguese Escudos, when combined with donations from people just like you, can create a powerful collective impact.
A Hassle-Free Way to Give Back
The best part? Our donation process is just as fast, easy, and hassle-free as exchanging currency for yourself. You don’t even need to sort or count anything. Just gather up all your leftover foreign money—Escudos, Pesetas, Francs, or whatever else you’ve got—and pop it in the post to us.
Our charitable exchange service is built on the same trusted and 100% guaranteed process we offer all our clients. We’re proud to be the reliable currency exchange partner for charities, airports, supermarkets, and police forces across the UK.
Choosing to donate foreign coins to charity is a fantastic alternative for your obsolete currency. It’s a great way to declutter your home while providing much-needed support for organisations doing incredible work. If you'd like to learn more about this feel-good option, you can find out where to donate foreign coins through our partnerships.
Ready to make a difference? Just visit our homepage to get started.
Common Questions About Exchanging Escudos
So, you’ve found some old Portuguese escudos and are wondering what to do next. Let's tackle some of the most common questions we hear. Our goal is to give you clear, straightforward answers and helpful advice so you feel confident about turning those old coins and notes into cash.
Can I Still Get Money for My Old Portuguese Escudos?
Absolutely! While the official window for exchanging them at the Banco de Portugal has long since closed, you haven't missed your chance. Our service is specifically designed to handle obsolete currency like the escudo. We offer a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed way to convert your old notes and coins into real, spendable cash.
Do I Have to Sort My Coins Before Sending Them?
Not at all. One of the best parts of our service is the sheer convenience. Don't worry about spending hours sifting through your leftover holiday money or trying to separate different currencies. Just bundle up all your foreign coins and notes and send them our way. We handle all the sorting and counting for you—it’s completely hassle-free.
We've built our reputation on being a service people can trust. We’re proud to be a partner for many major UK organisations, including well-known charities, national supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. Our transparent process and 100% guarantee mean you can feel completely secure when you exchange your leftover holiday money with us.
This trust is at the heart of everything we do. We know you need a reliable way to convert foreign coins and banknotes, which is why our system is designed to be simple and secure from start to finish. Whether you're cashing in a personal collection or looking to donate foreign coins to charity, our service provides the easiest solution.
Ready to turn that old currency into usable cash? At We Buy All Currency, we make it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes. Our service is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. Visit our homepage to get started today!