#piratesunday: The Scottsdale Mint Haul from the March Silver Price Bloodbath, Part Three

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” Blackbirds tend to like Shiny Things” ~ The Bloody Raven

Another lovely group of sunny and beautifully lush tropical Islands located leeward Antilles between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic.
Antigua was first discovered and named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 but was not colonized until by the British in 1632 and Barbuda in 1676.
These islands became a member of the West Indies Federation in 1958 and then a member of the West Indies Associated states before finally granted Independence in 1982 opting to remain with the English Commonwealth.


Some Statistics;

  • Capital city: St. John’s
  • Area: 440 sq. Km
  • Population: 96,286 in 2018
  • Primary Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)
  • Primary Economy: Tourism, Secondary: Banking
  • Government: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
    There are plenty of beautiful beaches, idyllic harbours and hidden coves that could lend themselves to hide a Pirate ship or two. So time to kick off the boots, hang up the weapons, tuck away the Jolly Roger and have a little vacation, at least in my imagination. Touristy Website as the Bloody Raven could use a vacation.

To the Coins

2018 Antigua & Barbuda 2 Dollar

Reverse; Rum Runner ship, Casks, Bottle, Antigua & Barbuda, 2018
Silver 0.999, 31.1g
39mm Diameter, 3.2mm thick
Mintage of 25000

The Rum Runner ship is pictured here ready to be loaded up with casks and bottles of the precious liquid cargo if not indulged upon by the Captain and her crew can fetch a tidy sum in the right town as long as they don’t run up the ole jolly. Such ships rely on speed and maneuverability to not only deliver the cargo but the ability to evade the Cutter and Revenue Ships.

The establishment of the lucrative Sugar industry had many colonies set on growing sugar cane on the island’s lush fertile volcanic soils, harvested and refined for export to Europe. This dark, thick syrup called Molasses is a by-product of sugar production and could be used as a sweetener but no match that of sugar market demands, and more often the poor man’s sweetener. Eventually this molasses became the primary ingredient for Rum when left to ferment over time and cask aged into this popular drink.

2019 Antigua & Barbuda 2 Dollar

Reverse; Pirate,Rum Runner ship, Antigua & Barbuda, 2019
Silver 0.999, 31.1g
39mm Diameter, 3.2mm thick
Mintage of 25000

The Rum Runner arrives to her Port of Call to off load her cargo of Rum and who knows what else. Their Buyer of the cargo awaits in anticipation.

The Term ‘Rum Running’ refers to the illegal transporting of contraband beverages by water often to avoid taxation or Prohibition laws of a jurisdiction. This term originated in the US Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933 as officials try to stem the flow of contraband from the Caribbean Islands into the US. During the Golden age of Pirates in the 16th century the Pirates can turn to smuggling rum into colonies that have heavy restrictions on alcoholic beverage consumption to make however Pirate crews most often tend to be the end consumers of the product.

2019 Antigua & Barbuda 2 Dollar

Obverse; EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK, QUEEN ELIZABETH II, 1 oz. .999 SILVER, TWO DOLLARS
Wreath, Queen Elizabeth II facing right
Legal Tender in Eastern Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda

While there were no notable Rum Runners in the Golden age of Pirates since smuggling was more a sideline with the focus on Pirating, the most notable Rum Runners were those of US Prohibition era. Names from Newspaper headlines like; Dean O’Banion, Vito Genovese, Sam Maceo are associated with the Mob with other rackets in their control, whereas Schooner owner Bill McCoy of the Arethusa was more a specialist in the Rum Running business.

And there was also a former stenographer for a British liquor importer by the name of Gertrude Cleo Lythgoe “The Queen of The Bahamas” or “The Queen of Rum Row” though she had a legal liquor license while running a bootlegging operation she was arrested but never convicted and retired before her luck ran out.

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### My Take on the Antigua & Barbuda Rum Runner Coins? ###



As in previous coins, the cameo strikes make this BU quite stunning. Holding this in indirect light there are odd ripples in the mirror fields that appear likely a problem on the planchettes prior to striking. For me the reverse theme design and the reasonable selling price makes this coin so worth collecting.

And The Bloody Raven’s Take on these Antigua & Barbuda Rum Runners?


“Aye, I’m sold on the Vacation part, an’ packing me Metal Detector, GPS and me chest of Scottsdale silver!”

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I hope you enjoyed this very special feature

And thank you for stopping by my Pirate Blog today.



The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #steemsilvergold and #ssg-community pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh…welcomed to participate and be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!

R

References

1. All are my own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W unless otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
R. Clip art from 123RF
W. Wiki Commons

Sources

Wiki: Antigua & Barbuda
Britannica: Rum
The Crafty Cask: The Brief History of Rum
Wiki: Rum Running
Saveur.com: Swashbuckling Female Rum runner

“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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Banner by @thekittygirl



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16 comments
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Lol you’re building up a Caribbean treasure chest now, I guess this is what must have felt like to be a pirate enjoying their loot, aaarrrrrr

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Rather than have One big treasure chest I have a few smaller ones for distinct treasure categories. And easy to carry too so I can cozy in a blanket on the couch while playing with the treasure chest of the day, then imagine myself on a secluded tropical beach in the Caribbean.
Thanks for commenting @chekohler

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A superb specimen for sure! I love the details on the whole thing. Nicely done and I like the history you've included. I enjoy reading your posts @kerrislravenhill! Take care sista, (and maybe the vacation) and have a lovely day tomorrow!🤗🤗💕🌻

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I'm still polishing my ever evolving eclectic style of post writing.
No one noticed the Mutiny Metals silver 1/4 oz Rum bar sitting on the flintlock.
Thanks for commenting @elizabethbit

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I love the Obverse of this coin @kerrislravenhill so very nice!! The wreath and Queen Elizabeth gives this coin a classy touch!! Stack on my friend!!!🤗

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You're right. Especially the Wreath, the symbol of Victory, is inspired by the french revolution for the Obverse. The majority Central and south American countries often feature this symbol with the allegorical goddess of Liberty when they broke away from Spain ,France,and Portugal.
And while Elizabeth II is hardly the representative of liberty, my feeling is that the implied symbol of the wreath should have a different meaning other than to decorate the coin.
Canada doesn't have a Liberty figure since we are considered subjects rather than citizens. Never fought against England for Independence.
Interesting History.

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I never thought of Canadian citizens as subjects......awesome country !!! I know you're still on the front line up there so stay safe my friend!

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Very nice, I love it, sis! I went to bed early yesterday! Happy Sunday! Your camera is very good. I can't seem to take those kinds of photos of coins. You and I must be stacking sisters. I am showing a ship coin today too! I know how your treasure chest is looking. Woot woot to the both of us, sis... stacking is truly an amazing wealth building hobby!
I know that it is the end of your workweek, lovely sis, @kerrislravenhill! Have a wonderful weekend, take care 🥰🌺🤙, lots of love💓💝 and a million and one Hugs and Kisses 🤗💕💋!

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The camera I use is my Samsung 6 Smartphone that came 'Free' with my plan. I've been experimenting with using various lighting schemes to get good coin pictures and as you know it is difficult with the most reflective material in existence.
And using the 16:9 Widescreen picture format is not memory efficient but consistent with a movie styled theme.
A few tweeks and twirks that make up my peculiar blog style.
Did you notice the Mutiny Metals 1/4 oz bar on the Flintlock pistol?
Always, with Love my Sis! 💖

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The gift from Kevin. It is the little touches in your photos that make your article interesting. So of course it was the first thing I saw in that photo... perhaps because you gave me a sneak preview of that special piece a couple of days ago! Pirates and a bottle of rum! Is rum a favorite drink? Happy day-off, sis!🥰🌺🤙

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This series is fantastic! Their proof-likeliness is almost perfect.

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Great looking coins and perfect timing to buy on March

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