“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
With more than five Litecoins remaining in my LTC hot wallet and with the recent firming up with Crypto prices I can continue what I themed as my Dogecoin Effect posts. If you are new to my Blog, it was the product of a sizable Dogecoin windfall that prompted me to set aside a small portion as profit into gold and silver whist the remaining majority is invested into better quality cryptos.
And it feels great upgrading into a Dolphin sized Hive account so I can hand out some meaningful upvotes rather than old dust and a pat on the back.
On to a recent pair of acquisitions.
The Trade Dollar
1897 British Trade Dollar
This lovely British Trade dollar was lingering on my Wish List for some time and recent realized auction prices have gotten crazy with governments printing cash like crazy. Generally, the collectables market has been on fire from Pokemon cards to Vintage cars, even our own Splinterlands gaming platform is reaping amazing valuations.
Ben, of HKColonials had a decent Trade Dollar specimen with a few Chop marks and after some personal deliberation I decided to acquire this delightful piece of economic history into my collection. Ben in turn sent visual Sigma Machine Verification proof that the coin is the genuine thing, as Trade Dollars have been notorious for counterfeiting. And upon receipt I have positive tested the coin on my CyberCurtainTwitcher (CTC) Neodymium slide.
1897 British Trade Dollar
This Trade Dollar appeals to me at different levels.
My friends know my love of sailing ships and a merchant ship is clearly featured on the lower left quadrant of the Reverse. I have tried to research the Identity of the ship modeled on the coin but coming across the Engraver’s notes is difficult to find. So based on the historical context and sail configuration of the ship, it appears to be that of an East Indiaman class. The backbone ship of the East India Company. And thus, brings up the sordid history of EIC’s role in the Opium Wars.
The exotic floral pattern also appeals to some of my own family roots as I continue my family tree exploration. Wondering what it was like to live, endure and succeed in that social and economic culture prior to the arrival of Communism.
And For Comparison...
2018 2 Pounds Britannia Oriental Border
According to Engraver artist Phillip Nathan this 2018 Britannia does defer to the original British Trade Dollar as the addition of the oriental border along with her similar pose clearly parallels the original British Trade dollar. The ship is noticeably absent. Perhaps the Engraver was aware to the nature of this controversy and thus attribute the inspiration from…
Philip Nathan’s classic interpretation of Britannia is flanked by an ornate oriental border, inspired by the Chinese-themed banqueting room at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. The design has similarities to the British Trade Dollar first struck for use in the Far East during the reign of Queen Victoria… ~ Numista Comment.
2018 2 Pounds Britannia Oriental Border
J.C
The Second acquisition, the 1935 Japan 50 Sen
Most striking are the Pair of Phoenixes dominating the coin. The symbol adopted to represent the Japanese Imperial household namely that of the Empress. A symbol has it’s origins from Chinese folklore when the Phoenix disappears then the kingdom is not united and only reappears upon a new Era and peace is achieved.
For now, until further information comes to light, I like to think of the pair as united pair male ‘Feng’ and ‘Huang’ female.
1935 Japan 50 Sen
At the 12 o’clock position, the Imperial Seal of Japan represented by the Chrysanthemum. Representing the Prime Minister’s office and the governing Cabinet is the Paulownia crest at the 6 o’clock position. The adjoining pair of Karakusa sprigs symbolizing of Rejuvenation and Longevity.
1935 Japan 50 Sen
The Sun figures predominantly in Japanese culture and folklore as the Japanese Goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, as ruler of the universe and principal god of Japanese Shinto representing fertility and giver of life. And, It is believed that Japan’s Royal family descended from this goddess.
Amaterasu-ōmikami means “Sacred Goddess illuminating the Sky”
There is so much to unpack in this coin's cultural symbolism, but all in all a beautiful coin!
Always spicing things up, what kind of Silver do you have in your Stack?
Thank you for coming aboard my blog today!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain 
The Dogecoin Effect Posts
Mail Call from Monsterjamgold
Sources
PCGS; History of the Trade Dollars
References
1. My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
