250 ANNIVERSARY OF JORGE JUAN (2023) SILVER COINID92937008
On the occasion of the commemoration in 2023 of the 250th birthday of the sailor and scientist Jorge Juan y Santacilia, a collector's coin is issued.
On the obverse, a portrait of Jorge Juan, made by the painter Rafael Tegeo Díaz in 1828, which is preserved in the Naval Museum of Madrid, and a sextant are reproduced.
On the reverse, an image of the ship Santísima Trinidad is reproduced on a triangulated globe, the work of the pilot and painter Alejo Berlinguero de la Marca, which is preserved in the Naval Museum of Madrid. The face value is 10 Euros.
| Denomination | 8 Reales |
| Year | 2023 |
| Quality | Proof |
| Diameter (mm) | 40 |
| Face Value (Euro) | 10 |
| Alloy (‰) | 925 |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight (g) | 27 |
| Maximum Mintage (units) | 6,000 |
250TH ANNIVERSARY OF JORGE JUAN AND SATACILIA (2023) 8 REAL
Jorge Juan was born in Novelda (Alicante) on January 5, 1713. At only three years old he was orphaned by his father, but his paternal uncles were in charge of his education. He completed his first studies at the Society of Jesus school in Alicante. From there he went to Zaragoza to continue his training and at the age of 12 he was sent to Malta, where he entered the Order of Saint John and served as a page to the Grand Master of the Order. There he will begin his naval training, since the young knights had to embark on the order's galley fleet, which fought against the Turkish and Barbary corsairs of the Mediterranean. His appointment as a Knight of the Order of Saint John required him to respect the vow of celibacy, which determined that Jorge Juan did not marry or have children.
In 1729, at the age of 16, Jorge Juan returned to Spain to join the Royal Academy of Midshipmen of Cádiz and
embark on the Navy career. The Academy had been founded in 1717 as part of the policy undertaken by the new Bourbon administration to promote the renewal of the Navy and improve the scientific training of the soldiers.
future officers. The curriculum paid special attention to mathematical training and subjects related to navigation, such as astronomy or shipbuilding. The theoretical training was completed with practical experience on board a ship, which led Jorge Juan to participate in the taking of Oran in 1732.