My Favorite Coin; Moonlight Mint’s 1622 Atocha Silver 8 Reals Cob

@silverd510 issues a #silvergoldstackers community wide challenge to tell us, “What is your favorite piece in your collection/stack….?”
‘Piece’, as in any may it be a; coin, round, pour, token, etc… So what do I have up my sleeve since I can’t access the majority of my stack at the moment?

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

Imagine if history was different.

Perhaps a slight change in events in the fabric of time and history such that a significant event may have been simply a close call, or not have happened at all. Sort of a Butterfly Effect a small choice or series insignificant decisions may result in much greater ramifications for the rest of history.

The Silver Coin

1622 Atocha Silver Cob, Eight Real

Reverse;Galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, heading left, quadrilobe, beading,
Text; 1622, ATOCHA, motto PLVS VLTRA further beyond
0.999 Fine silver, Weight 27g.
Diameter 32.4mm x Thickness 2.9mm.

What if the Spanish treasure galleon San Jose had escaped her fate from the English Squadron in Wager’s Action on 1704? Or 1579 if the Concepción was never captured by Sir Francis Drake and the Golden Hind? Or that the Atocha left a few days earlier in 1622 and had avoided the looming hurricane?

1622 Atocha Silver Cob, Eight Real

Obverse; Spanish Merchant Flag, Crowned pillars, Sea Waves. Castile & Leon
Text; Motto PLVS VLTRA; Ag 999, CMM, 8
Minted by the Moonlight Mint, Mintage not published.

I love this fantasy coin the moment it came into my hands by a friend in California, she picked them up at the Long Beach coin show on my behalf.

In my hand is a blend of old Spanish tradition and modern technology borrowing the classic symbols, motto and marks from various types of cobs and coins popularized in the era of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish 8 Reals and Pillar dollar became the international reserve currency and remained in circulation for hundreds of years up into the early 20th century.

Baring dumb bad luck and incompetent decisons I’ve imagined what would happen to Spanish history if Spain have not lost most of their Treasure ships.

So I gaze into my fictional Crystal ball... an alternate history...

His excellency, Royal highness and el presidente, by the grace of God Juan Julian Carlos XXII lifts his gloved right hand in a slow solemn manner. The Luis Guzman stadium crowd of 120000 sports fans, celebrities, and VIPs spring to their feet as they turn their gaze up to watch Madrid's elite aerospace defense jets make their overhead pass trailing glittering red and gold smoke. Then the stadium resonated with the opening bars of the Spanish national anthem, broadcasting worldwide. Every soul placed their hand over their heart and sang aloud.

Carlos' speech was followed by a thunderous applause.
He directs everyone's attention to the massive screen across the stadium opposite of his dias. The faces of the eight crew members and an enormous space ship poised to launch their long journey to Mars, a synonymous feat unequalled in history since Columbus.
He saluted to the brave crew, “Capitan Antonio Suarez, de lanzarlo cuando esté listo! PLVS VLTRA!” (Captain Antonio Suarez, launch when ready!)
Suarez replies over the stadium speaker system,” ¡Entiendo y obedezco, mi presidente! ¡Nos veremos en tres años! PLVS VLTRA!” (I understand and obey, my president! We will see you all in three years!)

The base of the rocket lights up in a thunderous roar and gently launches the massive ship from it’s orbital platform in geosynchronus orbit above the Earth. The excited crew could be observed shaking as the powerful engines thrust the ship into greater speeds.

Mission Specialist Manuel could be seen grinning through his helmet visor at the camera and held up a piece of paper with writing scribbled on it saying, “¡Compra Dogecoin!” (Buy Dogecoin!)

And I'd be fluent in Spanish and stacking Libertads!

Recent Milestones Achieved

I finally reached the Reputation of 72 just last week! Yay!
Also...

...on July 25th, reaching the 16,000 Hive Power milestone!

Hive Power up this for August 1st

Which brings me to #hivepowerupday coming up in day…

As you can see that I have over 322 liquid Hive saved for those special occasions of Hive/HBD pumping and dumping to take some advantage of, but I will settle for a power up another 100 Hive leaving the balance of 222 liquid Hive.
Proof will be later in the comments.

Adding Silver and Hive power to my Stack for that big stormy day!

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!

And thank you @traciyork, @hivebuzz and the cast of generous contributors for this fun initiative of #hivepowerupday and #HivePUD. Though I have crossed beyond the threshold in terms of eligibility I can still enjoy a bit of fun and encourage my followers.

References

My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️ 🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️ 🌞

Sources and Readings

Atocha.com; History.
Wiki; Atocha .
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
Silver Raven, made by ‘Silver to Burn’ Burnie.
Map background; The GOLDEN AGE of PIRATES map poster by Creator Bella Stander, Bella Terra Publishing LLC, bellaterramaps.com .
Translation, Deepl.

"I’m just a gal in black, not a bloody Financial Advisor!"

Posted Using LeoFinance Alpha