Silver from the Tropical Cook Islands in the South Pacific
Today is turning out to be a little busier than intended, but welcome to life I suppose. At least it's a beautiful, sunny day here in Orange County which is why I'm so hesitant to move away. It really is hard to beat the weather!
I've been meaning to share a coin for some time now, it's really an interesting one but at the same time just a bit odd. It comes from the beautiful Cook Islands in the South Pacific. A place I have not had the opportunity to visit, but from the pictures I've seen it is high on my bucket list! The reason I've always found the coin odd is that it has a Spanish conquistador that was involved in Mexico, not the Pacific Ocean.
It is pretty though, have a look:
About the coin
From numista.com
This is a nice coin that was produced by the Franklin Mint in Wawa, Pennsylvania. This was part of the Great Explorer Series that the Cook Islands released in 1988, which were all really beautiful coins. At first it made no sense to me that the islands would have Hernando Cortés on a coin. Especially since he never ventured into the Pacific, but the rest of the series celebrated explorers who did sail the Pacific and Polynesian Islands.
This isn't the most valuable coin in the world, with a silver value of $28.71, but might sell for a couple dollars more to a collector. I just thought it was a cool coin when I bought it, but at a much cheaper price back when silver was inexpensive! I have discussed Cortés in post in the past on a Mexican coin, I'll give a quick recap of how things went down as he conquered the Aztecs.
Hernando Cortés
Public domain
Born in Spain to a family of lesser nobility in 1485, he decided to seek his fortune and glory in the new world. Upon his arrival to Hispaniola he made a good impression and participated in conquests there and in Cuba. Upon arrival in Cuba he quickly gained in wealth and power as assistant to the governor. But he wanted more...
He was given the opportunity to explore Central Mexico for the Spanish Crown. He had no military leadership experience whatsoever, but it didn't stop him. Once he arrived in 1519 he quickly allied himself with indigenous groups to help him defeat others indigenous tribes and soon built a large army with many indigenous fighters.
In August of that year they marched into Tenochtitlán, modern day Mexico City. They received a non hostile welcome, as Aztec ruler Moctezuma II felt they could better learn their weaknesses and more easily destroy them later. In the end it didn't go so well as Moctezuma II became a puppet ruler for Cortés.
Cortés was called to battle against another Spanish commander opposing him. After winning the battle he returned to conquer Tenochtitlán, Moctezuma II had lost control and was killed by his own people. Instead of fighting urban warfare they slowly starved out blocks by cutting off supplies and water. Then destroying them block by block taking the city by 1520. This cemented his place in history as one of the most successful conquistadors as he destroyed the Aztec Empire.
What is always downplayed is the massive genocide to accomplish his goals. But the victor writes the history books...
That will wrap up my post for this Thursday, I hope you enjoyed the coin and brief history. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below, and as always thank you for all of your support. It's genuinely greatly appreciated! Have a great day everyone!
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hern%C3%A1n_Cort%C3%A9s
Disclaimer
I am not a financial planner and this isn't financial advice. Please always do your own research before investing your money. You worked hard enough to earn it!
Pictures are mine unless otherwise stated.
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I don't think this is a piece I would want to own with such a vile fellow on it. Sure, he was probably just following orders. What a brutal time in history that must have been.
It really would have sucked to live back then, the world was a far more violent and bigoted place than even today. All of the conquistadors and explorers may have discovered the unknown, but at a huge price to the indigenous inhabitants. Ironically, Cortez took Moctezuma's widow as a mistress and had children with her. There were Spanish nobles for generations with the last name Moctezuma believe it or not!
The world certainly had different values from ours, and all of the evils done in the name of religion were horrendous. Too bad they continue to happen today...
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Thanks bro!
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I think there are more Cooks Island coins than any other place other then Germany.
They must make a lot of revenue through their silver and gold coin program. I can't imagine the islands get much any other revenue apart from tourism. Germany does produce a lot of coins don't they?
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Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
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With a $50 Face Value, I was hoping it would be a 5 Ounce Coin…
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Sadly, just a small silver coin of sterling with a large denomination...
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Nice pretty piece there sir!
Thanks! This is an older one I've had for a very long time. Too bad it's not worth more, but it has a great design!
It's worth what it's worth, lol. That's why I stack for weight because I really wouldn't know how to value coins any other way as far as if I am getting ripped off on premium or not for a pretty or 'rare' piece.
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The “Great explore series” sounds interesting!😊
I checked with ChatGPT, and AI said that they were 25 silver rounds in this series!😊
I’m sure every round is just as nice! 👍😊
I guess it is what happening all aroudn the world, as what we learn now might not as the true event in the past.
He might be considered a succesful man, but for the Aztec I believe they will curse him as a monster. Always the two side of the story on each event.
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Cortes was certainly a man who was ambitious as he was ruthless.
He makes Captain Bartholomew look like a gentleman.
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What does Franklin Mint do now, @thebighigg , do you know? I think I have a Yorkie 14K pendant and chain, I'm not quite sure, but I think it was made by Franklin Mint!
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