100 Escudos of Portugal 1989 CuNi UNC - Discovery of the Canary Islands 1336 - 1479

In the 14th century, the Canary Islands began to attract European attention through several notable explorations. In 1312, the Genoese navigator Lancelot Maloisel (Lancelotto Malocello) discovered the islands and named Lanzarote after himself. By 1335, the arrival in Lisbon of two ships carrying four Guanche prisoners sparked interest in the islands. The following year, the two westernmost islands were included on the 1339 Planisphere of Dulcert, increasing their visibility on European maps. In 1341, an expedition led by the Florentine Angiolino del Teggihia de Corbizzi and piloted by the Genoese Niccoloso da Recco explored the islands for five months. Their reports were relayed to Giovanni Boccaccio, who described the Guanches as inhabitants living in varying conditions, with more developed societies on some islands. These early discoveries and descriptions laid the groundwork for increased European interest in the Canaries, leading up to their colonization by the Spanish in the 15th century.