Bolivia 2 Reales Philip III "Atocha 1622 Shipwreck" Pendant
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BOLIVIA, Potosí, Cob 2 Reales, Philip III, Assayer Q, Grade 1, Ex-Atocha (1622)
Mounted Cross-Side Out in a 14K Gold Pendant with Shackle Bail
This breathtaking artifact is more than just a coin; it’s a fragment of maritime history, forged in the fires of conquest and reclaimed from the depths of one of the most legendary shipwrecks ever discovered—the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Struck at the renowned Potosí Mint during the reign of Philip III, this cob 2 reales is a testament to the wealth and power of Spain’s vast colonial empire.
Weighing 8.48 grams in total, this coin is mounted in a striking 14K gold pendant that frames its cross-side, highlighting a full, bold cross surrounded by the castles-and-lions motif, symbols of the Spanish crown. The dark gray-toned shield on the reverse retains remarkable detail, with a clear mintmark and assayer initial (“Q”), despite minor surface corrosion from centuries spent underwater. Semi-lustrous surfaces and Grade 1 preservation ensure this piece stands out among treasures, underscoring its authenticity and historical importance.
The Fateful Tale of the Atocha
The Atocha was the crown jewel of Spain’s 1622 treasure fleet, a massive convoy tasked with transporting the riches of the Americas back to Spain. Laden with silver bars, gold coins, emeralds, and precious goods, the fleet represented the immense wealth extracted from Spain’s colonies. The Atocha alone carried an estimated 47 tons of treasure, including over 180,000 silver coins, bound for the royal treasury and private investors.
However, just two days after leaving Havana on September 4, 1622, the fleet encountered a ferocious hurricane near the Florida Keys. The Atocha and several other ships sank to the ocean floor, claiming the lives of over 260 crew and passengers. Salvage efforts by the Spanish over the next few decades recovered some treasure, but the Atocha’s richest cargo remained lost to time—hidden under layers of shifting sands and coral.
Rediscovery: A Modern Treasure Hunt
Centuries later, the Atocha captured the imagination of treasure hunter Mel Fisher, who embarked on a relentless 16-year quest to locate the wreck. Using advanced underwater mapping techniques and sheer determination, Fisher and his team made the discovery of a lifetime in 1985, uncovering the main hull of the Atocha. The haul was extraordinary: gold and silver ingots, dazzling emeralds, jewelry, and over 100,000 coins, including this exquisite 2 reales.
Fisher’s discovery remains one of the greatest in maritime archaeology, valued at over $400 million. It transformed our understanding of Spain’s colonial era, providing invaluable insights into 17th-century trade, craftsmanship, and exploration. This coin, accompanied by a Fisher tag and certificate (85A-221031), is a rare and tangible connection to that monumental achievement.
The Legacy of Potosí Cob Coinage
The Potosí Mint, located in present-day Bolivia, was the epicenter of Spanish silver production during the colonial period. Its cob coinage—rough, irregularly shaped coins like this one—embodied practicality over aesthetics, designed for quick minting to meet the demands of global trade. Each coin bore symbols of the Spanish monarchy: the cross on the obverse, a nod to Catholicism, and the shield on the reverse, showcasing the Habsburg dynasty’s territories. The mintmark (“P”) and assayer initial (“Q”) authenticated this coin as a product of Potosí, struck during the early 17th century under the supervision of Assayer Q.
A Wearable Piece of History
Mounted in a gleaming 14K gold pendant with a shackle bail, this coin has been transformed into a wearable relic that merges history with artistry. The cross-side is prominently displayed, allowing the bold design and semi-lustrous surfaces to take center stage. Its Grade 1 condition ensures the piece’s enduring appeal, making it both a collector’s item and a conversation starter.
A Treasure Unearthed, a Story Reclaimed
Owning a coin from the Atocha is to possess a fragment of history steeped in adventure, tragedy, and rediscovery. This cob 2 reales is not merely a coin; it is a storyteller, whispering tales of Spanish imperial ambition, the dangers of the high seas, and the relentless human drive to uncover lost treasures. It is a timeless testament to resilience, exploration, and the enduring allure of the unknown.
Click Here to read more about the 'Atocha 1622 Shipwreck'
Mounted Cross-Side Out in a 14K Gold Pendant with Shackle Bail
This breathtaking artifact is more than just a coin; it’s a fragment of maritime history, forged in the fires of conquest and reclaimed from the depths of one of the most legendary shipwrecks ever discovered—the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Struck at the renowned Potosí Mint during the reign of Philip III, this cob 2 reales is a testament to the wealth and power of Spain’s vast colonial empire.
Weighing 8.48 grams in total, this coin is mounted in a striking 14K gold pendant that frames its cross-side, highlighting a full, bold cross surrounded by the castles-and-lions motif, symbols of the Spanish crown. The dark gray-toned shield on the reverse retains remarkable detail, with a clear mintmark and assayer initial (“Q”), despite minor surface corrosion from centuries spent underwater. Semi-lustrous surfaces and Grade 1 preservation ensure this piece stands out among treasures, underscoring its authenticity and historical importance.
The Fateful Tale of the Atocha
The Atocha was the crown jewel of Spain’s 1622 treasure fleet, a massive convoy tasked with transporting the riches of the Americas back to Spain. Laden with silver bars, gold coins, emeralds, and precious goods, the fleet represented the immense wealth extracted from Spain’s colonies. The Atocha alone carried an estimated 47 tons of treasure, including over 180,000 silver coins, bound for the royal treasury and private investors.
However, just two days after leaving Havana on September 4, 1622, the fleet encountered a ferocious hurricane near the Florida Keys. The Atocha and several other ships sank to the ocean floor, claiming the lives of over 260 crew and passengers. Salvage efforts by the Spanish over the next few decades recovered some treasure, but the Atocha’s richest cargo remained lost to time—hidden under layers of shifting sands and coral.
Rediscovery: A Modern Treasure Hunt
Centuries later, the Atocha captured the imagination of treasure hunter Mel Fisher, who embarked on a relentless 16-year quest to locate the wreck. Using advanced underwater mapping techniques and sheer determination, Fisher and his team made the discovery of a lifetime in 1985, uncovering the main hull of the Atocha. The haul was extraordinary: gold and silver ingots, dazzling emeralds, jewelry, and over 100,000 coins, including this exquisite 2 reales.
Fisher’s discovery remains one of the greatest in maritime archaeology, valued at over $400 million. It transformed our understanding of Spain’s colonial era, providing invaluable insights into 17th-century trade, craftsmanship, and exploration. This coin, accompanied by a Fisher tag and certificate (85A-221031), is a rare and tangible connection to that monumental achievement.
The Legacy of Potosí Cob Coinage
The Potosí Mint, located in present-day Bolivia, was the epicenter of Spanish silver production during the colonial period. Its cob coinage—rough, irregularly shaped coins like this one—embodied practicality over aesthetics, designed for quick minting to meet the demands of global trade. Each coin bore symbols of the Spanish monarchy: the cross on the obverse, a nod to Catholicism, and the shield on the reverse, showcasing the Habsburg dynasty’s territories. The mintmark (“P”) and assayer initial (“Q”) authenticated this coin as a product of Potosí, struck during the early 17th century under the supervision of Assayer Q.
A Wearable Piece of History
Mounted in a gleaming 14K gold pendant with a shackle bail, this coin has been transformed into a wearable relic that merges history with artistry. The cross-side is prominently displayed, allowing the bold design and semi-lustrous surfaces to take center stage. Its Grade 1 condition ensures the piece’s enduring appeal, making it both a collector’s item and a conversation starter.
A Treasure Unearthed, a Story Reclaimed
Owning a coin from the Atocha is to possess a fragment of history steeped in adventure, tragedy, and rediscovery. This cob 2 reales is not merely a coin; it is a storyteller, whispering tales of Spanish imperial ambition, the dangers of the high seas, and the relentless human drive to uncover lost treasures. It is a timeless testament to resilience, exploration, and the enduring allure of the unknown.
Click Here to read more about the 'Atocha 1622 Shipwreck'
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