200 Escudos of Portugal 1999 CuNi UNC - Death at Sea

During the Age of Discovery (15th-17th centuries), death at sea was common due to numerous dangers. Sailors frequently suffered from scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. They also faced storms, leading to shipwrecks, as well as infectious diseases (dysentery, typhoid) due to poor sanitation. Starvation and thirst became threats when supplies ran low, and internal conflicts or mutinies often resulted in violent deaths. Sailors were also at risk from enemy attacks and piracy. Despite these hazards, explorers continued their quests, often at the cost of many lives.