Authentic Danish West Indies Coin Pendant Sailing Ship Sterling Silver

Description

Excellent Condition.  Authentic Danish West Indies coin set into a handcrafted sterling silver pendant bezel and the one pictured is the one you will receive.  It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, polishing cloth, velvet pouch and gift box.
Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands in 1493, during his second voyage to America. He claimed the land for Spain and named it "Las Once Mil Virgenes" (the 11,000 virgins), supposedly reminded of St. Ursula's legendary companions by the profusion of peaks.  The islands were used by pirates and privateers to hide their ships and their booty and lie in wait for the treasure - laden Spanish galleons.
St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix became a Danish Crown Colony in 1755 and the King of Denmark made them free ports in 1764.  St. Thomas was the major port for trade.
These coins were minted in Denmark for use in what was the Danish West Indies.
In 1917, the United States, concerned to protect its interests in the Panama Canal, and seeing the strategic importance of the islands which are very near the major shipping lanes to the canal, bought the three islands for million.