The seeds are planted, and my west coast winter’s last blast has been only day of real snow fall that never lingered, only a few following days of near zero temperatures delayed my early attempt to sow my veggie seeds.
On to the next step in my garden plan.
“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven.
This week I have been re-potting most of my Strawberry plants into a fresh mix of potting soil blend, removing sprouting weeds and the wild walnuts 🐿, recycling the old tired potting soil with the new, a sprinkle of fertilizer, a spade of peat and compost.
And that little oak chest?
Silver in the sunshine.
As I have my latest addition to my Coffee table treasure collection with me. My little wooden chest can no longer hold that collection so I have been checking around my Thrift shops for a new, larger and used chest to put them in. For fun I am considering burying this little oak chest as an experiment to see how long it will last and test my Garret Metal detector’s sensing performance before I take it out to the beach this summer.
So while we’re on the subject of silver treasure, let’s have a look at this new coin.
The Perth mint celebrates the 225th anniversary of the proclaiming of the Spanish Pillar Reales as legal tender for the fledgling colony of New South Wales on November 19th 1800. These Spanish dollars have been trusted trade specie for a century and commonly accepted for trade in the region. Governor Philip Gidley King needed to address the ongoing specie shortage that hampered local commerce and trade.
The shortage money continued to be chronic and in 1812 Governor Lachlan Macquarie imported 40,000 Spanish 8 Reales, the punched coins nick-named ‘Holey Dollars’ where valued at Five Shillings while the centers or the ‘dump’ are valued at a shilling and three pence, further increasing the needed money supply. The overt ‘damage’ to the coins made them less desirable outside New South Wales and helped keep the silver circulating within the colony.
Interestingly, this form of emergency specie was also used in early pre-Dominion of Canada’s Prince Edward Island using The Colonial Mexico 8 Reales. These 5 Shillings were also refereed to as ‘Holey dollars’ with about 1,000 put into circulation by the colonial governor. The remaining plug is refereed to as the ‘Plug dollar’ valued at 1 Shilling in the colony. The issue of this specie remains controversial being in a grey area of semi-official issue.
Now back to my April Blooms
These white poets came out a little earlier this spring and I love the way these stand out from the more common golden daffodils. The 'Goldies' did come out a few days after this shot but fewer than last spring. I could have a grub problem since this winter has been very mild.
The fuchsia colored tulips also came out not long after the Poet Daffodils. It seems odd that one color came out first and only now that the bicolored tulips are barely out and a bit stunted. I think I forgot to fertilize with Bone meal last fall when I replanted the bulbs. "Sigh, Live and learn."
I discovered this little patch of bi-colored pansies at the furthest corner of my garden. I don't recall ever planting these adorable little blooms so why not.
This photo are just a week after re-potting and they have taken well to the new soil blend. Most of these plants have white little blooms. I have a second variety with purple blooms that I expect to show soon. The stones are to discourage Steve, the squirrel 🐿 from burying his bloody nuts 🌰 in my pots. Yes, I gave this furry beast a name. Steve, my garden nemesis.
I've pulled out at least six walnut sprouts out of these pots.
This battle of the pots may go on all year.
My little paradise on earth will always be a work in progress 🌷🌼🍓
April 27th Vitals; 113/76, 72HR, and So2 98%.
Another Dental appointment April 28th this morning.
Thank you for coming aboard my blog today.
Stacking Precious metals and Crypto for those dark stormy times!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain 
The Coffee Table Treasure Collection posts;
My Christmas Wish for a 2025 Australia Proclamation Dollar.
Scottsdale’s In Omnia Paratus Type 2 Silver round.
The legendary Pieces of Eight Spanish Pillar Dollar.
The 2023 Daniel Carr 1622 Atocha fantasy 8 Reale Cob.
The 17th Century Colonial Mexico Philip IV 8 Reale Cob.
Gold Spartan Version 2 Silver Pirate ship.
References & Sources
2025 Australia 1 Troy oz. Silver 225th Anniversary of the Proclamation Pillar Dollar.
2025 Australia 1 Troy oz. Antiqued Silver 225th Anniversary of the Proclamation Pillar Dollar
2025 Australia 1 Troy oz. Gold 225th Anniversary of the Proclamation Pillar Dollar
Photos are my own shot with an ancient 2018 Samsung SM-A530W or otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
Physical precious metals bullion stacking is only a part of my personal overall financial strategy. Meanwhile, collecting numismatics are a different set of objectives and strategy. Unless you are a complete nutcase as I am please, do your research before deciding to buy into any bullion or numismatic products.