O meio circulante no Brasil oitocentista: análise e dimensionamento da moeda em circulação no século XIX

Abstract

This exploratory article investigates the composition and dimension of the money supply in Brazil during the 19th century and its relationship with the economic and financial transformations of the period, characterized by the progressive adoption of the gold standard and the emergence of consolidated banking institutions. To this end, a quantitative analysis of the data presented by Calógeras (1960) is conducted, comparing it with the estimates of Maldonado (2011) to expose inconsistencies and propose a more reliable historical systematization.

The research is supported by comparative and complementary data, organized into tables and historical series, enabling the identification of gaps and discontinuities in the available sources. Additionally, secondary studies, such as those by Cavalcanti (1983) and Meili (1903), are utilized to support the measurements.

The results demonstrate that understanding the money supply in the 19th century from a critical and comparative perspective is essential to clarifying the monetary policies adopted and their role in Brazil's economic development. Furthermore, the article contributes to the historiographical debate by proposing a more consistent systematization aligned with the historical evidence available.