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#piratesunday : The 1604-2004 Canada Dollar First French Settlement Commemorative

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”Black birds tend to like Shiny Things.” ~ The Bloody Raven

Three objectives and two ships left France, Le Don de Dieu,“The Gift of God” and the “Good Renown” Pierre Dugua de Mons sold his property to finance this expedition to establish a base in New France, also called Acadia. Henry IV of France bestowed upon Pierre Du Gua de Mons the title of Vice Admiral and first Lieutenant of Arcadia and was granted a monopoly of the lucrative fur trade. Upon his shoulders Henry IV commissioned Dugua De Mons the responsibility to Colonize Arcadia, Christianize and secure exclusive trade with it’s inhabitants and possibly find the passage to the East Orient.

In 1604 Du Gua De Mons, with Cartographer with Navigator Samuel de Champlain, and 100 men adding three more ships entered Passamaquoddy Bay at the mouth of the Saint Croix River and established the First French settlement on Saint Croix Island.

W1.

2004 Canada Proof & BU Dollar First French Settlement Commemorative

Reverse: Sailing Ship ‘Le Don de Dieu’, Map of St. Croix Island

Legend: CANADA DOLLAR, RRC 1604 - 2004

Silver 0.925, 25.175g

36.07mm Diameter, 3.02mm thickness

Artist: Robert-Ralph Carmichael

Note: Numista states 0.9999 silver purity whereas RCM states 0.925

The first year proved difficult with the harsh North American Winter and Scurvy inflicting casualties among the settlers. In 1605 the colony was moved across the Bay of Fundy to a place called Port Royal, today it is called Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. While the Fur trade languished and losses mounted due to illegal trade by Interlopers and smugglers (Arrrh! Privateers I say), the Port Royal Colony grew despite difficulties becoming the French cultural center of Acadia until the British destroyed it 1613 as the same region was both claimed and contested by England and France.

2004 Canada Proof & BU Dollar First French Settlement Commemorative

Obverse: Elizabeth II facing right,

Legend: ELIZABETH II D · G · REGINA

Proof 106,974, BU 42,582, Fleur De Lis Privy 8,315

Reference KM# 512

Artists: Susan Taylor, Susanna Blunt

The coin to watch for is the version with the Fleur de Lis Privy mark at the 4 o’clock position of the reverse with the small mintage 8,315 that were issued only in the Ile Sainte-Croix coin & stamp sets.

There is very little information of the ships other than the names of two principal ships; the other three ships and ship types remain a mystery outside the scope of this article. Likely small merchant class Caravel/Ketch, I always like to know the ship statistics like size, class, burden, crew size, and of course armament.

While Champlain continued exploring, mapping the Atlantic coast and the Great lakes Du Gua De Mons eventually was forced to return to France to protect his company business and leaving his college Samuel de Champlain to carry on the exploration and charting of New France.

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Bonus Silver coin

2004-1604 France ¼ Euro 400th Anniversary of Samuel de Champlain

Reverse; Ship ‘Le Don de Diue’

1/4 Euro, 2004 – 1604

Silver 0.900, 22.20g

37mm Diameter, 2.02 mm Thick

Edge: Serrated

In 1620 Champlain was made Governor of New France but returned to France when the lands were ceded in 1629 to England. In 1633 upon his reinstatement as Lieutenant Champlain returned to Quebec following a Peace treaty with England serving only two years before passing away.

Even though Dugua de Mons’ Fur Trade never flourished as expected, the importance of Champlain’s work having established these settlements were important in maintaining the French presence in the New world and as an integral part of Canada.

2004-1604 France ¼ Euro 400th Anniversary of Samuel de Champlain

Obverse; Portrait of Samuel de Champlain

Liberté Egalité Fraternité, RF, Samuel de Champlain

Reference KM#1372

Mintage of 15,105 Proof

Le Don de Dieu Replica

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  • Burden tonnage: 3 Tons
  • Length: 31 ft, or 9.4m
  • Propulsion: Sail
  • Builder: J. Chapdelaine, Sorel, Quebec
  • Launched: 1907

My further research into the whereabouts of the replica was fruitless I assume that the ship was not preserved in any facility for posterity. The construction was based on historical descriptions and known construction practices of 17th century France.

My Thoughts on these coins

The Canadian version is beautifully done going for the 3/4s stern view of the ship, the inset St Croix inset map locating the very first French settlement. I also see some corroboration and collaboration the RCM with the French Mint as their coin presented the same ship as a 3/4s bow view of the ship. These would have made an interesting paired presentation set.

The Bloody Raven's Thoughts

What a tiny ship! Could barely fit twenty-five crew and where would my hot tub and treasure be stowed? Guns, no guns? Sure these are fine additions to the Silver ships fleet but outfitting the real ships as Pirate ships can be a problem. Pierre de Mons could have spend a bit more silver for bigger ships, then we can deal with his Interloper issues easy peasy!

I hope you enjoyed this very special feature

And thank you for stopping by my Pirate Blog today.

R

References

  1. My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W

P. Image under Pixabay

R. Clip art from 123RF

W. Wiki Commons

Sources

mint.ca: 400th anniversary French Settlement

W1. Buildings of by Samuel de Champlain under Public Domain

W2.Veuix-Quebec as by Wilfredor under CCO 4.0

W3. The 1908 Replica of the by E. Lalierte under CCO 4.0

Canadian Museum of History: Samuel de Champlain 1604-1616

Biography.com: Samuel de Champlain

Dictionary of Canadian Biographies: DUGUA DE MONTS, PIERRE

“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”