Forms: α. 6 vintiin (vinton), 7 ventin, vinteen, 8 vinten, 8–9 vintin. β. 8–9 vintain. γ. 8–9 vintem. [Pg. vintem, f. vinte twenty.] In the coinage of Portugal and countries colonized from there: A small silver coin of the value of 20 reis, equivalent to about 11/2d. sterling; also, a copper coin of the same value.
α. 1584. Barret, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1599), II. I. 274. 5 vintons make a tanga, and 4 vintenas make a tanga of base money.
1598. W. Phillip, trans. Linschoten, I. xxxv. 69/1. There is likewise a reckoning of Vintiins, which is not likewise in coyne, but onely named in telling: of these foure good, and fiue badde doe make a Tangas.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Mandelslo’s Trav., II. (1669), 86. Eight of these Basarucques make a Ventin.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 207. The Tango, 5 Vinteens.
1743. Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 206. We had hitherto been suppli’d at the Rate of eight Vintins each Man per Day.
1775. Twiss, Trav. Portug. & Sp., 22. Exacting a vinten, or about three halfpence per head.
1805. T. Lindley, Voy. Brasil, 260. The ships, as they arrive at Bahia, sell the beef on board by retail, at two vintins a pound.
β. 1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Coin, Portuguese Coins…. The Vintain, whereof they have two sorts, the one Silver, and the other Billon.
1819. J. H. Vaux, Mem., I. 218. They stop, and empty their [water-] vessel, for which they receive a vintain.
γ. 1736. Chandler, Hist. Persec., 183. Dr. Geddes tells us of one … who was allowed no more than three Vintems a day; a Vintem is about an English penny farthing.
1801. Southey, in C. C. Southey, Life (1849), II. 130. The ferry price varies … from one vintem to nine,—that is, from a penny to a shilling.
1839. Penny Cycl., XV. 326/2. At Rio de Janeiro … there are vintems of copper also current for 20 rees.
1856. H. Owen, Here & There in Portugal, 122. I purchased … for three vintems (a trifle more than threepence), a capital figure of a negro dandy.
