Piratesunday: 2010 Republic of Benin 1000 Franc La Santissima Trinidad Silver Coin

”Blackbirds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven

She was officially named Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad, Santissma Trinidad for short. And while her contemporary the HMS Victory and Admiral Lord Nelson took all the glory, the Flagship Santissima Trinidad, pride of the Spanish Mediterranean fleet gets a few mentions in naval history, perhaps a mention as a Trivial Pursuit answer, but most of all remembered for her defeat at Trafalgar.

While history celebrates and commemorates The HMS Victory on at least 28 Coins by 13 countries, the Santissima Trinidad is commemorated by the Republic of Benin on a gold and silver coin and you’re looking at the lone silver coin.

The Coin.

2010 Benin 1000 Franc the Santissima Trinidad Commemorative Reverse; The Santissima Trinidad steering left, colored Compass right SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD 1769, 2010 Sterling silver 0.925, Weight 20g Diameter 38mm Grade, Proof

The Record.

The First rate Santissima Trinidad had a respectable service history since her launch in Havana Cuba int 1769. A big 4,905 Tons and 200 ft long, intimidating with 116 guns to start, making her the largest War ship in the world at the time.

In 1779 she joined France in support of the American Colonist in the American War of Independence.
In 1780 she took part in the capture of 55 ships of an escorted English fleet.
In 1782 she joined the Mediterranean squadron and took part in the siege of Gibraltar and the battle of Cape Spartel.
In 1795 she was upgraded to a fourth gun deck and 140 Guns.
In 1797 she was heavily damaged in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent and nearly captured by the British.

The Stats.

1:25 model of La Santisima Trinidad in the Naval Museum of La Habana, Cuba

• Builder: Mateo Mullan
• Launched: Havana, Cuba, March 1769
• Class: 140 Gun, First rate
• Length: 201 feet
• Beam: 53 feet
• Draught: 53 feet
• Displacement: 4,950 Tons
• Crew: 1,050
• Homeport: Cadiz

In 1805 under the command of Captain Francisco Javier Uriarte and Rear Admiral Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros the Spanish-Franco fleet battled the smaller British fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar. Rather than conventional Line battle, Admiral Nelson ordered the British into two columns and ‘T-bone’ their opponent’s fleet in two. With the resulting chaos, several British ships including the HMS Victory assailed the Spanish lead ships. The Santissima Trinidad was heavily damaged, captured and eventually scuttled northwest of Cadiz.


La Santissima Trinidad 2006 in Alicante harbor, Spain 2011.

• A mockup of a decommissioned merchant ship.
• Launched: 2006
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Discotheque 💃
• Museum
• Current Status: Closed, Neglected

Sadly, even in this reincarnated mockup form, the 2006 Santissima Trinidad doesn’t get much respect as a Club 1805 Entertainment ship.

So, a big ship is not always better. Some Spanish officers have also nicknamed her El Ponderoso because of her being too top heavy with poor sailing and maneuvering characteristics which were likely contributing factors in her defeat to the British.

And that is why the Bloody Raven prefer the more agile Brigantine or light Frigate to ply her pirate ninja style of stacking booty.

2010 Benin 1000 Franc the Santissima Trinidad Commemorative Obverse; Benin Coat of Arms Text; REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN, 1000 FRANCS CFA Text on Coat of Arms; FRATERNITE JUSTICE TRAVAIL Edge; Semi Reeded

At an LCS price of $35 CAD, I think I found a prize of an obscure coin.

It’s been difficult to find data on the minting statistics of this Benin Republic coin. There is no listing of this coin in Numista.com either. Some eBay seller sources quote different purity of 925 rather than 999. Similar Benin commemorative strikes range around 5000 coins. Minting might be by the Paris mint, so rather grasping at straws, I say it is time to invest in a Krause Coin catalog, the coin bible.

Added a few Spanish, Colonial Mexico Reals and a pair of copper Maravedi

Another Silver sailing ship in my Piratesunday ☠️ style stack.

Always adding Silver and Crypto to my Stack for that rainy day or dark and stormy night!

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!

References

1. My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W P. Image under PixabayW. Wiki Commons 💀 Page Dividers by @thekittygirl 🎃

Sources

Wiki: Santissima Trinidad 1769
W1. Model Replica of La Santissima Trinidad by Nicolas Perez under CCO 4.0
Wiki: Santissima Trinidad 2006 Mockup replica.
W2. Mockup ‘Replica’ Santissima Trinidad 2006 By Basilio Under CCO 3.0
Numista: HMS Victory
Wiki: The Battle of Trafalgar
Photo Background is a Nautical Hanky by Modhanks, of Springfield Illinois

I work in a Health Unit. I am a Gothic Nurse. - Salutem laboro in Unit. Nonne ego sum Antiqua.