In the seventee century, copper coins were in circulation in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 réis, silver coins for 75, 150, 300 and 600 réis, and gold coins for 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6400 réis. Late were issued  80, 160, 320 and 640 réis coins in silver and. gold 800, 1600 and 3200 réis while older copper and silver coins were counterstamped with the Portuguese arms, doubling the value of 5, 10, 20 and 40 réis pieces and increasing the value ofthe others s to 80, 160, 320 and 640 réis. in the eighteen century Spanish 8 reales coins  were modified in 960 réis coins.and Copper 80 réis were iissued.

Between 1823 and 1833, the copper coinage of Brazil varied across the country then copper coinage was standardized, with the introduction of countermarked coins for 10, 20 and 40 réis. Silver coins were issued in denominations of 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1200 réis, along with gold 10,000 réis.

later the  silver and gold content of the coinage was reduced, with new silver coins for 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 réis, and gold 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 réis. Bronze 10 and 20 and cupro-nickel 100 and 200 réis , bronze 40 réis and cupro-nickel 50 réis were issued in 1886and the 10 réis was discontinued .

In the beginning of the nineteen century cupro-nickel 400 réis ,l 20 réis i,. Aluminium-bronze 500 and 1000 réis , cupro-nickel 200 réis, aluminium-bronze 2000 réis and silver 5000 réis iwere introduced

In 1994, stainless steelcoins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos and 1 real.were issued.. Later a copper-plated steel 1 and 5 centavos, brass-plated steel 10 and 25 centavos, a cupronickel 50 centavos and a bi-coloured brass and cupronickel 1 real (from 2002 onwards a steel 50 centavos and a bi-coloured brass and steel 1 real). were introduced.