n. An old Portuguese gold coin bearing a figure of John V of Portugal.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A Portuguese gold coin of the value of eight dollars, named from the figure of King John which it bears; -- often contracted into joe.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A gold coin (called in Portuguese joão) formerly current in Portugal, worth about $9: probably so called from having been first issued by one of the Portuguese kings named John.
Word Usage
"I expected a far far better showing from McCain during this Presidential campaign. johannes"