João IV (1640-1656)

João IV of Portugal (March 1603 - November 6, 1656), the Restoring King (Port. o Restaurador), was the 21st King of Portugal (1640 - 1656). He was the grandson of Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, who had in 1580 claimed the Portuguese crown. He was born at Vila Viçosa and succeeded his father, Teodósio II as Duke of Bragança when the latter died in 1630. John married Luisa de Guzman (1613-1666), eldest daughter of the Duke of Medina-Sidonia, in 1633. By the unanimous voice of the people he was raised to the throne of Portugal (of which he was held to be the legitimate heir) during the revolution effected on December 1, 1640 against the spanish king, Philip IV. A Spanish invasion was defeated at Montijo (1650). Abroad, the Dutch took Malacca (Jan 1641) and the Sultan of Oman captured Muscat (1648). However by 1654 most of Brazil was back in Portuguese hands and had effectively ceased to be a viable Dutch colony. João IV was a patron of music and the arts, and a considerably sophisticated writer on music; in addition to this, he was a composer. During his reign he collected one of the largest libraries in the world, but it was destroyed in the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Among his writings is a defense of Palestrina, and a Defense of Modern Music. King John IV died in 1656 and was succeeded by his son Afonso VI. His daughter Catarina married King Charles II of England.

Meio Tostão (silver). Obverse: IN HOC SIGNO VINCES. Reverse: IOANNES IIII D G REX PO.

Dois Vinténs (silver). Obverse: IN HOC SIGNO VINCES. Reverse: IOANNES IIII D G REX PORT.

Vintém (silver). Obverse: IN HOC SIGNO VINC. Reverse: IOANNES D G REX.

V Réis. Obverse: REX XVIII. Reverse: IOANNES IIII D G REX PORTVGAL.