The 1968 Chile 10 Peso Liberation Fleet Commemorative Silver bullion Coin?
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” Blackbirds tend to like shiny objects” ~ The Bloody Raven
Now this huge one and a half ounce Toner coin is my latest pride and joy as it was finally scratched of my Wish List for a long time and joins my little fleet. With so much about the background of this coin I am not sure where to start?
The Historical Background
It is the era following the Napoleonic war and the overextended and depleted Spain had their hands full with many of her colonies now vying for independence throughout the Spanish empire. Peru and Chile are some of the final Royalist strongholds against Independence. The Spanish Viceroy of Peru remains a holdout with his Royalist army forces reduced to Guerilla tactics and still with a formidable Spanish Squadron under his authority.
In 1818 the Insurgent Chilean leader Bernardo O'Higgins appoints former British Naval officer Thomas Cochrane, as Vice-Admiral to take command of the fledgling Chilean navy and organizes Chile’s first Naval Squadron. The Squadron were three ships; the flagship frigate O'Higgins, frigate Lautaro and a Corvette Independecia.
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Bullion coin defined; a bullion coin is a coin struck from precious metal and kept as a store of value or an investment, rather than used in day-to-day commerce.
This 10 peso coin could arguably be the first modern government backed silver bullion coin of pure 0.999 Fine Silver but not indicated on the coin. All other coins made prior are alloyed with copper to improve against wear and tear while in circulation.
While back in 1949, the Mexican Onza may be officially the first bullion coin that has 1 troy oz. of silver but as 0.925 silver as a 33.6g like a circulating coin, however the 'first' 0.999 fine silver Libertad bullion coin wasn’t until 1982. It goes to show Bullion standards can vary slightly from country to country.
Other than Specific orders, Cochrane's Squadron regularly raided and harrassed Royalist positions and centers as brilliantly performed under the British Admiralty against France and Spain in the past. In February 1820 a Night assault by a small Chilean force 300 under Cochrane’s command captured the 1,600 soldier garrisoned Spanish stronghold of Valdivia Chile denying the Royalist a vital safe port of resupply.
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Later that year on November 1820 in Callao Peru, after a long cessation of fighting the situation then settled into an effective blockade as the Spanish squadron shelters in the harbor into a defensive posture protected by battery emplacements and gunship support. Again, in his same daring, audacious and maverick style, Vice Admiral Cochrane personally leads a column of 14 long boats with 240 men in the night time capture of the Peruvian Viceroy’s most powerful Spanish warship the 44 gun, 950 ton, Esmerelda along with 2 Gunboats with only a loss of 11 men with himself among the 22 wounded.
And for my friends who are into the Banknotes.
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Cochrane directs the crew to sail the captured Esmerelda out of the harbor while under fire. Meanwhile, two other neutral ships in harbor; USS Macedonian and the HMS Hyperion were hastening just to get out of the way. With the darkness and confusion of three ships underway some batteries fired upon the wrong ship. A mistake that may have had political consequences for the Viceroy. Cochrane and his men successfully capture the Esmerelda. Cochrane renames his prize to the Valdivia to commemorate the success of capturing the Royalist stronghold.
Historians like Brian Vale, and David Cubitt agree, the loss of the Flagship Esmerelda and the vital Port of Valdiva , Spain loses control of Peru and Chile.
And thus Chile commemorates the defeat of the Spanish navy at Callao and the Viceroy of Peru in 1820.
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Admiral Thomas Cochrane
Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald was born at Annsfield, Scotland in December 1775. Yes he is Scottish, an accomplished officer I'm sure that Captain @joshuaslane would be proud of.
In 1793 Thomas joined the royal Navy at age 17. In 1800 He was given his command of a 14 Gun Sloop the HMS Speedy in over the course of the next 13 months successfully destroyed or captured 53 ships before he was captured by French line ships.
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Upon his return to the Royal Navy he was promoted and continued an extraordinary string of achievements, on many vessels, serving five different countries. This Officer is the stuff of adventure movies like the film Master and Commander, Russel Crow’s Character, Captain Jack Aubrey is said to be modeled after Admiral Cochrane.
While his brief political career was controversial, his life is what I can best describe in his naval career as extraordinary, adventurous, daring, even chivalrous, and contentious especially with authority, but always a consistently brilliant and resourceful naval officer. At the age of 85, Lord Thomas Cochrane Tenth Earl of Dundonald of Paisley dies Oct 31 1860, is interred at Westminster Abbey and has been memorialized in every country he served for.
I hope you enjoyed this coin feature, thank you for stopping by for a read.
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References
Sources & further Reference
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“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
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FINE Posting, now that you have joined the Neoxian City Gang methinks that ye be earnin' MOAR![moar-boar.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQme3Czw8yk8TMfC3PtBwsEqMxns7a5Z1HVrifeYiyxVsbK/moar-boar.jpg)
A beautiful HUGE toner vessel coin...my knees are wobbly ... I am going to faint! I am in love with that coin ... lovely border designs... perfect artist rendition of a great ship! Kudos on an awesome find, sis @kerrislravenhill.
Have a fantastic weekend, take care 🥰🌺🤙 and a million Hugs and Kisses 🤗💕💋!
And now you know what coins I favor to be consistent with my poured silver treasures, I got another huge Bermuda coin coming up with a ship I have yet to identify. In fact I can't identify it, definitely a medium sized English construction. See ya Sis ⛵🏴☠️💝🌺
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That is one awesome coin Raven......dam you find these hidden gems often. Nice score. Love that one.
Thanks @silverd510,
By now you see that I have a collecting style.
I make good use of my copy of the 2017 Krause coin catalog, a digital version of the ultimate holy tomb of coin information including pictures plus some luck of the Mermaid.
Got another huge 1.6 oz Bermuda coming up later and it ain't the Santa Maria.😁⛵
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You do and I dig it Raven. I’m gonna have to take a look at that.
One of the countries that Thomas Cochrane served was my country: Brazil.
!trdo
That is correct; England, Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Greece. This Captain sure gets around.
Thanks for chiming in @ronaldoavelino ⛵😁
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"A veery interestin' report Lassie! Ye main be some kin' of see'er ur such?!" 😉 -Keptin
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Nae me Keptin, ahh figured yea be kin o' the 10th Earl from yea brine smarts, cunnin', an' rugged 'andsome looks. 😉
"Ahh did nae knows Ahh hud such a braw artist on-board! Mebbe ye can brin' a wee bit of sunshine tae uir galley! (blye me those silvers look familiars!)" 🎨 😃 -Keptin
Ahh learned t' do Chart makin' a few toors ago a skill tha' may come handy.
Great write up to go along with the coins! That's a part of history that I'm completely unfamiliar with, so was nice to read!