Semi-Numismatic

2023 Tuvalu 1 oz Silver Black Flag Antiqued (The Fancy)

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This intriguing silver coin transports observers back to the era of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a time when pirates hoisted black flags to strike fear into the hearts of merchant crews. Struck by the Perth Mint on behalf of the Tuvalu government, this piece represents the fifth entry in the celebrated Black Flag series. Crafted from one ounce of 0.9999 fine silver, the coin features a specialized antiqued finish that enhances its dramatic, historic theme. The reverse side of the coin depicts the Fancy, the vessel commanded by the notorious Henry Every, who earned the moniker "The King of Pirates" after executing an incredibly lucrative raid. The detailed scene captures the ship alongside overflowing chests of treasure, filled with coins and precious jewels. A subtle skull looms on the horizon, while the inscriptions "FANCY" and "BLACK FLAG: HENRY EVERY" frame the design alongside the weight, purity, and the "P" mint mark of the Perth Mint. On the obverse, the coin features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the dates of her reign, 1952 to 2022. This side also displays the issuing nation of Tuvalu, the 2023 year-date, the one-dollar face value, and the coin's weight and silver purity. With a limited mintage of just 1,500 pieces, this sovereign coin stands as a fascinating tribute to maritime lore.