2021 Niue $2 Pirates of the Caribbean – The Empress

avatar
(Edited)

image.png

“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven

It’s over! The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard saga is done! Will Johnny resume his role as Jack Sparrow in the next film of Pirates of the Caribbean? Will Disney apologize? Who really cares when there's silver treasure to be Stacked!

If you read my previous critique of this series so far; The Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman coins. Rest assured my assessment remains consistent with The Empress coin. If I were the Mint Master, I’d put a better portrait of Sao Feng on the obverse than the queen. Better yet, the portrait of Elizabeth Swann since the Empress's Captaincy was not only turned to her but she was also elected Pirate King (Queen) and thus makes The Empress, the Pirate Armada’s flagship.

”Feng the beast,” my 40” Chinese styled war sword.
image.png

According to the PotC Fanbase Insider there is no full-sized replica of the Empress used in the Disney film shoots. The scenes aboard the Empress were shot on a barge with the ship wide shots done in CGI. The name of Sao Feng’s opulent Junk was not ever mentioned in any of the films but on the computer game adaption. Therefore, there is no real tangible target that the Bloody Raven could commandeer with her trusty pirate bolt cutters.

Rather than going over a non-existent ship let's take a different tack.

What real life vessel could have inspired Disney’s fictional ship the Empress?

The Silver Coin

2021 Niue $2 The Empress
image.png
Reverse; The Empress, Captain Sao Feng
Text; The EMPRESS, Disney; Pirates of the Caribbean
Text; 1 oz 999 Fine Silver @ Disney
Diameter 40.7mm, Thickness 2.6mm

The Real Pirate Junk

Flipping/clicking through the pages of Naval history I come across an infamous Chinese Pirate junk that had it’s beginnings as a merchant vessel only to enact a reign terror for over 150 years.
Originally named Kintai Foong or the Golden Typhoon, this Junk is the product of fine Chinese craftsmanship. Fashioned of Ironwood with Camphor and constructed without the need of metal nails. With a menacing lines, teethed bow figure and raised stern the Ning Po appeared more than a mere merchant ship but was more designed for battle.

image.png
Typical Chinese Medium Two Masted Junk by OpenClip under Pixabay

Ship Statistics compared

Category/shipThe EmpressThe Ning Po
Year Built20061753
Where built:Film lot?Fujiao, China
Configurationlarge Junklarge pole Junk
Weight420 Tons291 Tons
Length170 ft138 ft
Sail Plan:Three MastedThree Masted
Location:Castaway Cay, Bermuda?Santa Catalina Is, CA
Crew Complement:Unknown60 Crew
Armament:15 heavy iron cannonSome Cannons

As for the Empress, her silhouette seemed out of proportion with the Sail plan for a Junk claiming to be 170 ft long. For practicality she should have been a 4 masted large Junk. The viewing audience wouldn't known anyway. A junk is a junk.

2021 Niue $2 The Empress
image.png
Obverse; Queen Elizabet II facing right
Text; ELIZABETH II, NIUE, TWO DOLLARS, 2021, IRB
New Zealand Mint, Mintage of 15,000
Engraver; Ian Rank-Broadley
Reference N#3257545

According to the Chinese Imperial and British Navy cannon balls were observed to bounce off the Ning Po’s hull and flaming arrows had no effect. She was like the Chinese answer to the US Constitution. Her design and shallow draft also made this Junk fast and difficult capture until 1911 when she was captured for good by rebels in the battle of Hankow. Until then, the Ning Po spread fear along the entire Southeastern Coast of Asia accumulating an infamous record as a privateer, a slave trader, smuggler and pirate ship.

In 1913 she was sold to American interests for public display at various venues in California as a floating museum, operated as ocean day tours, a restaurant on one occasion, then a tourist attraction with a show until her demise after 1937 succumbing to a freak storm, the Depression, some movie filming abuse, and neglect.

So, with no chance for a souvenir off the real deal, I could be in the area to log in a visit at the Catalina Island Museum one day.

Meanwhile, I may make a suggestion to the Perth Mint for an upcoming Black Flag coin subject.

Ask a Pirate Lass!
image.png
What brand of nail polish do you use? Yea answer; "Wet n Wild, black"

It's easier stacking Silver and Crypto coins that real ships for that rainy day, are you?”

And thank you, for coming aboard my post today.



The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers 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!

The Bloody Raven’s “Ships of Silver” posts

2021 $2 Niue Pirates of the Caribbean - The Flying Dutchman.
2021 $2 Niue Pirates of the Caribbean - The Black Pearl.
1977 Nippon Maru Silver Bar and the OPM82 Silver Compass coin.
2009 One Dollar Solomon Island - HMS Golden Hind.
1986 5 Yuan China - The Empress of China.
2010 1000 Franc Republic of Benin - La Santissima Trinidad.
2021 1 Royal, British Indian Ocean Territory - The Cutty Sark.
2021 10 Pound St Helena coin Bar - The East Indiaman.
2021 $1 Australia Black Flag Series - The Red Flag Fleet.
2020 $1 Australia Black Flag Series - The Royal Fortune
2019 $1 Australia Black Flag Series - The Queen Anne’s Revenge
2019 $1 Australia Shipwreck Series - The Batavia
2019 $2 Antigua & Barbuda Rum Runner
2018 $1 Canada Captain James Cook at Nootka Sound
2014 $15 Canada, Exploring Canada Series - The Vikings
2013 $20 Canada 300th Anniversary of Louisbourg
2012 $10 Canada War of 1812 Series - HMS Shannon
2004 $1 Canada First French Settlement - Le Don de Dieu
2002 $20 Canada Transport Series - The William D Lawrence
2001 $20 Canada Transport Series Three Masted Ships
1999 $1 Canada Captain Juan Pérez’s Discovery of the Queen Charlotte Islands
1993 5 Lire Malta 430 Years in Defense of Christian Europe
1988 $10 Australia - First Fleet Bicentenary Commemorative
1977 $25 Bermuda Dollar Silver Jubilee Commemorative
1977 Postmasters Royal Society of London: Expedition to Tuvalu
1973 $10 Bahama Independence Columbus’ Santa Maria
1952 5 Shilling South Africa, Founding of Cape town - The Dromedaris
16th Century Spanish Galleon Round

Sources & Links

Numista; 2021 Niue $2 The Empress
PotC Wiki; The Empress
PotC Wiki; Captain Sao Feng
Video Suggestion on YouTube The Story of the Ning Po, Peaceful Waters
Islapedia; Golden Typhoon / Ning Po Pirate pole Junk.
Photo Background; Blackbeard’s Hanky from Modhanks.com
Replica Silver Pirate coins by Golden Spartan Post

References

Pictures are my own, shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
P. Image under Pixabay
R. Clip art from 123RF
W. Wiki Commons





0
0
0.000
57 comments
avatar

You received an upvote of 100% from Precious the Silver Mermaid!

Thank you for contributing more great content to the #SilverGoldStackers tag.
You have created a Precious Gem!

0
0
0.000
avatar

This post has been manually curated by @bhattg from Indiaunited community. Join us on our Discord Server.

Do you know that you can earn a passive income by delegating your Leo power to @india-leo account? We share 100 % of the curation rewards with the delegators.

Please contribute to the community by upvoting this comment and posts made by @indiaunited.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I used to love the Disney ride they had for the Pirates of the Caribbean. I think they took it down though, years ago.

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

That's too bad. I never had the chance to see it. The amazing animatronics and sophisticated choreography. I've only seen parts of it on YouTube vacationers videos. The show must have cost $millions to put together, yet we still have, "It's a small world after all."

0
0
0.000
avatar

Truly beautiful coin of the Empress 🥰
Love the nail polish 🖤🖤🖤

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

Shiny Black polish would be my Favorite Black polish, asides Matte, Crackle, and glitter black. Brand doesn't really matter and it's the color I most often find in the Clearance Bin, how did you think I was able to save some cash to buy my silver?

🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤
Thanks for the comment @littlebee4

0
0
0.000
avatar

I love matte black and a dark dark deep red or purple 🥰

Of course… we need to save for pretty things 🪙 🪙 🪙
You are so welcome @kerrislravenhill
🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

Totally agree on having Elizabeth on the other side!

0
0
0.000
avatar

untitled.gif
Aye, that settles it, Pirate Queen Captain Elizabeth Swann should be on the Obverse rather than that British Elizabeth old hag.

ALL HAIL, Pirate Queen Elizabeth Swann!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Disney could have done a better job I think I see what you mean, thanks for sharing non the less, I got a nice book you would probably like, I will send you a picture when I get home

0
0
0.000
avatar

This demonstrates that Disney is not concerned with long termed collectable quality but to make their cut at a fixed souvenir level price margin by sacrificing on design.
Thanks for the Comment, looking forward to getting a glimpse. @bitcoinman

0
0
0.000
avatar

Disney being greedy , I took marine navigation in school and the library was gonna throw the book out to free up space and I thought it looked pretty neat if you ever in Toronto or I visit BC I'll be sure to bring it 16551661772024256877996737184762.jpg

1655166239695400981578227100664.jpg

0
0
0.000
avatar

Very nice @kerrislravenhill! You always provide nice historical information to go along with the coin of the day. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely week ahead!

0
0
0.000
avatar

This would have been a cooler blog if I were able to use the original digitized old photos of the Ning Po but copyright rules only allow me to link to the pictures. The Ning Po actually existed, now it's a few rotting timbers viewable at low tide at Catalina Island.

You visit is appreciated @elizabethbit ❤️

0
0
0.000
avatar

Nice, nice!!!
And a good background!
Is this the last Pirates of the Caribbean coin?
Hugs and kisses, sis 🤗❤️😘

0
0
0.000
avatar

The forth coin is Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge.
The ship made an appearance on 'Dead men tell no tales.' and on the Online game adaptation.
But what could I write about the QAR? 🤔
It's coming...

Always, with love 🤗🌺❤️☠️

0
0
0.000
avatar

I Love the "Feng the beast,” your Chinese styled war sword! Johnny Depp needs one of these, that might bring him back from walking the plank lol!🤣
Hmmm... Until then keep stacking that awesome Silver @kerrislravenhill !🤗

0
0
0.000
avatar

Feng is a very intimidating sword that is more for show than to wield into combat. It's wickedly heavy.
The full unedited Pumpkin carving GIF shows me falling over to the right proving Newton's law of pirate physics is that the sword inertia tends to stay in motion after the lateral cut. 🎃

Someday there will be a Bloody Raven's bloopers reel.
Glad to have you aboard @silvertop

0
0
0.000
avatar

Lol.....I didn't notice that @kerrislravenhill! 🤣 Now I will need to rewatch the dissecting of the pumpkin😳🤗😇

0
0
0.000
avatar

They literally have attempted my murder and are trying to kill me with V2K and RNM. Five years this has been happening to me, it started here, around people that are still here. Homeland security has done nothing at all, they are not here to protect us. Dont we pay them to stop shit like this? The NSA, CIA, FBI, Police and our Government has done nothing. Just like they did with the Havana Syndrome, nothing. Patriot Act my ass. The American government is completely incompetent. The NSA should be taken over by the military and contained Immediately for investigation. I bet we can get to the sources of V2K and RNM then. https://ecency.com/fyrstikken/@fairandbalanced/i-am-the-only-motherfucker-on-the-internet-pointing-to-a-direct-source-for-voice-to-skull-electronic-terrorism ..... https://ecency.com/gangstalking/@acousticpulses/electronic-terrorism-and-gaslighting--if-you-downvote-this-post-you-are-part-of-the-problem if you run into one of them you may want to immediately shoot them in the face. 187, annihilate, asphyxiate, assassinate, behead, bleed, bludgeon, boil, bomb, bone, burn, bury, butcher, cap, casket, choke, chop, club, crucify, crush, curb, decapitate, decimate, deflesh, demolish, destroy, devein, disembowel, dismember, drown, electrocute, eliminate, end, euthanize, eviscerate, execute, explode, exterminate, extinguish, finish, fry, grind, guillotine, gut, hack, hang, hit, ice, implode, incinerate, kill, liquidate, lynch, massacre, maul, microwave, mutilate, neutralize, obliterate, off, pop, poison, punnish, quarter, ruin, shank, shock, shoot, shred, skin, slay, slaughter, smoke, smother, snipe, snuff, squish, stab, strangle, stone, suffocate, suicide, SWAT, swing, terminate, torture, terrorize, whack, waste, wreck. You better fucking kill me.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Love this set/collection
Shivering me Timbers 🏴‍☠️ Over this Silver! Cheers 🍻

0
0
0.000
avatar

"Pirate silver is FUN Silver!"
One day I will have my 18th Century Light Frigate, we'll have plenty of fun when I get the 22 cannons aboard. ☠️

Welcome aboard @geneeverett

0
0
0.000
avatar

I didn’t know they made a coin for the movie. But they make a coin for anything now a days.

0
0
0.000
avatar

In the opening scene of, "At world's end." A boy on the gallows holds a Spanish doubloon as the doomed pirate community are hung before Lord Cutler Beckette.

20220527_124533.jpg

With an inscription: Pirates of the Caribbean 201x. I think this would make a more appropriate coin option for public collectabilty.
FYI I don't own any Disney stocks.

Thanks for coming aboard @silverd510

0
0
0.000
avatar

Another Pirates of the Caribbean silver mint, but Disney has not done justice with the caricature of Sao Feng's bust. It seems the minting die could not draw exact details.

You wrote a nice historical background of the Empress junk. Awesome..

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

That's why I think that the ship should be solely on the reverse, and Pirate Queen Elizabeth Swann should be on the obverse rather than that old English hag Elizabeth Regina II. IF the mint could doll up Queen ER II, they can do the same for Captain Elizabeth Swann since taking over command of the Empress from Captain Feng.
For the gory details of the Ning Po there is a good YT Video

Thanks for coming aboard @emaxisonline

0
0
0.000
avatar

I think the queen's bust is a requirement for Niue coins, that's why it has been given more space than Swann herself.
Disney should have hired more experienced artist to make good use of space provided for the ship and Swann.

I saw the video, it has some interesting information, such as after captured by British Navy, pirates won her again in the auction, lol, sounds like a myth to me.

Wish you a lovely midweek ..

!LUV

0
0
0.000
avatar

Gimme that sexy sword!

0
0
0.000
avatar

The Chinese call it, "Da doa" Fighting sword.
Other than defending my home I use it for preparing gourds for meals.
Doing any pirate baking? 🎃

0
0
0.000
avatar

That's you?

0
0
0.000
avatar

Yes, including the pumpkin dicing.
Since I am disqualified to have a firearm.
I have an arsenal of bladed weapons to defend myself.
I may make a gif with watermelon and pizza this summer.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Would that big sword be any useful for the weeds in my yard?
Yo ho!
PD

0
0
0.000
avatar

Your Weed Wacker would be much more lighter to handle and you might scare your neighbors swinging this sword around.

Thanks for the assistance @punkysdad
!PIZZA

0
0
0.000
avatar

Congratulations @kerrislravenhill! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s):

You got more than 14500 replies.
Your next target is to reach 15000 replies.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

Support the HiveBuzz project. Vote for our proposal!
0
0
0.000
avatar

Lots of history here. Feng the beast look really cool.

0
0
0.000
avatar

"Feng" Chinese styled War Sword that swings more like a large Battle mace.
"Fang" is my Japanese styled Iaido Katana.
and...
"Fluffy" is my super sharp battle and tamashiguri Katana.
All part of my old school arsenal and fondness for sharp pointy things.

Thanks for dropping in @leeart

0
0
0.000
avatar

You really know your way around swords. Awesome!

0
0
0.000