Bolivia 8 Reales 1618 "Atocha 1622 Shipwreck" PCGS VF
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A Royal Artifact of the Deep: Rare Cob 8 Reales from the Atocha Shipwreck (1618)
(2) COA'S: Mel Fisher tag and photo-certificate (85A-H1987), a 2013 appraisal valuing it at $12,600, and a copy of the original Miguel certificate and 1987 invoice from Ted Miguel, this treasure carries a provenance as rich as its historical context.
The Bolivian cob 8 reales from 1618 is more than just a coin; it is a rare and thrilling piece of history that bridges the ambitions of a global empire with one of the most famous maritime tragedies of all time: the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Minted in Potosí under the reign of Philip III of Spain, this coin weighs an impressive 26.93 grams and retains a remarkable Grade 1 condition. Its odd-shaped flan and lack of corrosion, along with its fully visible date and clear assayer's mark (P-PAL), make it a particularly rare find.
This coin's features are captivating. The full Habsburg shield and the king’s ordinal, along with the bold cross, evoke the artistry and precision of Potosí's mint workers, who toiled under Spain’s vast imperial apparatus. A soft, even patina adds a sense of timelessness to the piece. Accompanied by a Mel Fisher tag and photo-certificate (85A-H1987), a 2013 appraisal valuing it at $12,600, and a copy of the original Miguel certificate and 1987 invoice from Ted Miguel, this treasure carries a provenance as rich as its historical context.
The Reign of Philip III: Silver and Struggles
When this coin was struck in 1618, Spain was at the height of its territorial empire under the rule of Philip III (1598–1621). The Spanish Empire, stretching across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, was fueled by an immense influx of New World silver. Potosí, with its Cerro Rico (“Rich Hill”), was the beating heart of Spain’s imperial economy, producing unparalleled quantities of silver that were transported to Europe via the Spanish treasure fleets.
Yet, Philip III’s reign was far from smooth. The king, known for his pious nature and reliance on court favorites, delegated much of his authority to the Duke of Lerma. Under Lerma’s corrupt administration, the empire suffered from mismanagement and escalating debt. While the silver flowing from Potosí provided temporary relief, it also led to economic inflation and dependency, weakening Spain’s long-term stability. This coin, a tangible product of the Potosí mines, encapsulates both the heights of Spanish wealth and the underlying fragility of its imperial structure.
The Atocha: A Spanish Galleon’s Tragic Voyage
The Atocha, part of Spain's 1622 Tierra Firme fleet, was more than just a ship; it was a floating treasury. Laden with silver, gold, emeralds, and other treasures from the Americas, the Atocha embodied Spain’s imperial might and its dependence on maritime trade. The fleet, destined for Spain, departed Havana in early September 1622.
Disaster struck on September 6, 1622, when the fleet encountered a fierce hurricane off the Florida Keys. The Atocha, heavily laden and unable to navigate the storm, was driven onto a coral reef and sank, taking 265 lives and an immense fortune with it. Among the lost treasures were coins like this 8 reales, which lay undisturbed on the ocean floor for over 360 years.
The wreck’s loss was catastrophic for Spain, representing not only a financial blow but also the vulnerability of its global reach. The tragedy underscored the perils of Spain’s reliance on maritime trade and the dangers inherent in its sprawling empire.
Rediscovery: Mel Fisher’s Epic Search
In 1985, after 16 years of relentless effort, treasure hunter Mel Fisher and his team made the historic discovery of the Atocha wreck. The recovery of its treasures—including gold bars, emerald-studded jewelry, and thousands of silver coins like this cob 8 reales—captivated the world. This coin, with its rare features and impeccable condition, is a testament to the skill of Spain’s colonial mints and the endurance of precious metals under the sea.
A Piece of History Worth Holding
This cob 8 reales is more than just a collector’s item; it is a window into the world of 17th-century Spain. It tells the story of a king who ruled over an empire of unimaginable wealth yet struggled with the pressures of governance. It evokes the bustling mines of Potosí, where laborers extracted silver destined to fund wars and royal extravagance. And it recalls the tragic voyage of the Atocha, a ship that carried the hopes of an empire and now serves as a time capsule of its grandeur and peril.
Owning this coin is to hold a fragment of a lost world—a symbol of imperial ambition, maritime tragedy, and the enduring allure of treasure. It stands as a monument to the riches of the Spanish Empire, the resilience of its artifacts, and the relentless pursuit of discovery that brought it back to the surface after centuries beneath the waves.
Click Here to read more about the 'Atocha 1622 Shipwreck'
(2) COA'S: Mel Fisher tag and photo-certificate (85A-H1987), a 2013 appraisal valuing it at $12,600, and a copy of the original Miguel certificate and 1987 invoice from Ted Miguel, this treasure carries a provenance as rich as its historical context.
The Bolivian cob 8 reales from 1618 is more than just a coin; it is a rare and thrilling piece of history that bridges the ambitions of a global empire with one of the most famous maritime tragedies of all time: the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Minted in Potosí under the reign of Philip III of Spain, this coin weighs an impressive 26.93 grams and retains a remarkable Grade 1 condition. Its odd-shaped flan and lack of corrosion, along with its fully visible date and clear assayer's mark (P-PAL), make it a particularly rare find.
This coin's features are captivating. The full Habsburg shield and the king’s ordinal, along with the bold cross, evoke the artistry and precision of Potosí's mint workers, who toiled under Spain’s vast imperial apparatus. A soft, even patina adds a sense of timelessness to the piece. Accompanied by a Mel Fisher tag and photo-certificate (85A-H1987), a 2013 appraisal valuing it at $12,600, and a copy of the original Miguel certificate and 1987 invoice from Ted Miguel, this treasure carries a provenance as rich as its historical context.
The Reign of Philip III: Silver and Struggles
When this coin was struck in 1618, Spain was at the height of its territorial empire under the rule of Philip III (1598–1621). The Spanish Empire, stretching across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, was fueled by an immense influx of New World silver. Potosí, with its Cerro Rico (“Rich Hill”), was the beating heart of Spain’s imperial economy, producing unparalleled quantities of silver that were transported to Europe via the Spanish treasure fleets.
Yet, Philip III’s reign was far from smooth. The king, known for his pious nature and reliance on court favorites, delegated much of his authority to the Duke of Lerma. Under Lerma’s corrupt administration, the empire suffered from mismanagement and escalating debt. While the silver flowing from Potosí provided temporary relief, it also led to economic inflation and dependency, weakening Spain’s long-term stability. This coin, a tangible product of the Potosí mines, encapsulates both the heights of Spanish wealth and the underlying fragility of its imperial structure.
The Atocha: A Spanish Galleon’s Tragic Voyage
The Atocha, part of Spain's 1622 Tierra Firme fleet, was more than just a ship; it was a floating treasury. Laden with silver, gold, emeralds, and other treasures from the Americas, the Atocha embodied Spain’s imperial might and its dependence on maritime trade. The fleet, destined for Spain, departed Havana in early September 1622.
Disaster struck on September 6, 1622, when the fleet encountered a fierce hurricane off the Florida Keys. The Atocha, heavily laden and unable to navigate the storm, was driven onto a coral reef and sank, taking 265 lives and an immense fortune with it. Among the lost treasures were coins like this 8 reales, which lay undisturbed on the ocean floor for over 360 years.
The wreck’s loss was catastrophic for Spain, representing not only a financial blow but also the vulnerability of its global reach. The tragedy underscored the perils of Spain’s reliance on maritime trade and the dangers inherent in its sprawling empire.
Rediscovery: Mel Fisher’s Epic Search
In 1985, after 16 years of relentless effort, treasure hunter Mel Fisher and his team made the historic discovery of the Atocha wreck. The recovery of its treasures—including gold bars, emerald-studded jewelry, and thousands of silver coins like this cob 8 reales—captivated the world. This coin, with its rare features and impeccable condition, is a testament to the skill of Spain’s colonial mints and the endurance of precious metals under the sea.
A Piece of History Worth Holding
This cob 8 reales is more than just a collector’s item; it is a window into the world of 17th-century Spain. It tells the story of a king who ruled over an empire of unimaginable wealth yet struggled with the pressures of governance. It evokes the bustling mines of Potosí, where laborers extracted silver destined to fund wars and royal extravagance. And it recalls the tragic voyage of the Atocha, a ship that carried the hopes of an empire and now serves as a time capsule of its grandeur and peril.
Owning this coin is to hold a fragment of a lost world—a symbol of imperial ambition, maritime tragedy, and the enduring allure of treasure. It stands as a monument to the riches of the Spanish Empire, the resilience of its artifacts, and the relentless pursuit of discovery that brought it back to the surface after centuries beneath the waves.
Click Here to read more about the 'Atocha 1622 Shipwreck'
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