1 Crown - Elizabeth II F.F.S. Savorgnan de Brazza
1993 year| Copper-nickel | 28.28 g | 38.6 mm |
| Issuer | Gibraltar (British Overseas Territories) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 1993 |
| Value | 1 Crown (0.25) |
| Currency | Crown Coinage (1967-date) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Weight | 28.28 g |
| Diameter | 38.6 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#57524 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 86% |
Reverse
WWII Warship FFS Savorgnan de Brazza
Script: Latin
Lettering:
1 CROWN
WARSHIPS OF WORLD WAR II
F.F.S. SAVORGNAN de BRAZZA
Edge
Reeded
Comment
The Savorgnan de Brazza was a colonial sloop, a class of ships built by the French Navy for service in the Tropics. Launched on 18th June 1931 and capable of 18.3 knots, she was built with Flagship facilities and only light bullet-proof plating. Captured by the British on 3rd July 1940 and later manned by the FNLF (formed on the same day), she took part in Operation Menace on 23rd September 1940. A combined force of British and Free French troops attempted to sieze Dakar, on the West African coast, as a first stage establishing General de Gaulle as the rallying point for the Free French forces. However, after losses on both sides, the operation was abandonned on 25th September. FFS Savorgnan de Brazza continued in service with the FNFL and, on 9th November 1940 at Libreville, she sank her sister ship, the Bougainville, which had remained in Vichy hands.
Interesting fact
The 1 Crown - Elizabeth II (F.F.S. Savorgnan de Brazza) 1993 coin from Gibraltar (British Overseas Territories) features a unique design, showcasing a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the coat of arms of the Savorgnan de Brazza family on the reverse. This coin is particularly interesting because it was issued to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, and the design reflects the historical connection between the Savorgnan de Brazza family and the explorer.
