Mexico 8 Escudos 1711 "1715 Fleet Shipwreck" NGC AU
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Mexico 1711 Full Date 8 Escudos "1715 Fleet Shipwreck" NGC AU Dets. Only 1 other graded by NGC! This Mexico cob is a rare and highly sought-after coin, particularly when it bears a full date—a feature seldom seen on these hand-struck pieces. This example originates from the 1715 Fleet Shipwreck, one of the most legendary maritime disasters in history.
The 1715 Fleet was a Spanish treasure fleet returning to Spain from the New World, carrying vast riches from Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. Comprising eleven ships, the fleet encountered a hurricane off the coast of Florida on July 31, 1715, resulting in the loss of all but one vessel. The disaster scattered an immense amount of gold and silver across the seabed, much of which remains undiscovered to this day.
This particular coin, struck at the Mexico City mint in 1711 under Philip V, is notable for its full date, a rarity among escudos of this period. The Mexico City mint, operating under the supervision of assayer José de León ("J"), produced these large gold cobs by cutting roughly shaped planchets and hand-stamping the dies, leading to inconsistent and off-center strikes. Most surviving examples from this era are missing portions of the date due to the crude striking process, making a well-centered, fully dated specimen an exceptional find.
Graded NGC AU Details, this piece retains impressive detail despite centuries underwater. The surfaces show light saltwater exposure, but the legends, shield, and cross elements remain sharp. Coins recovered from the 1715 Fleet frequently exhibit some level of seawater damage, making well-preserved specimens like this one particularly valuable. Despite minor impairments noted by NGC, the coin's strong strike and full date significantly enhance its desirability among collectors.
Shipwreck gold escudos from the 1715 Fleet continue to command high demand, particularly those with a full date and strong strike. Past auction results indicate that similar coins often sell for $50,000 or more, with exceptional specimens exceeding six figures. Given its historical significance, remarkable state of preservation, and the prestige associated with the 1715 Fleet, this Mexico 1711 8 Escudos represents a tangible link to the age of Spanish treasure fleets and the perils of maritime exploration. Collectors of shipwreck coinage and early Mexican gold would undoubtedly consider this a centerpiece in any collection.
Click Here to read more about the '1715 Fleet Shipwreck'
The 1715 Fleet was a Spanish treasure fleet returning to Spain from the New World, carrying vast riches from Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. Comprising eleven ships, the fleet encountered a hurricane off the coast of Florida on July 31, 1715, resulting in the loss of all but one vessel. The disaster scattered an immense amount of gold and silver across the seabed, much of which remains undiscovered to this day.
This particular coin, struck at the Mexico City mint in 1711 under Philip V, is notable for its full date, a rarity among escudos of this period. The Mexico City mint, operating under the supervision of assayer José de León ("J"), produced these large gold cobs by cutting roughly shaped planchets and hand-stamping the dies, leading to inconsistent and off-center strikes. Most surviving examples from this era are missing portions of the date due to the crude striking process, making a well-centered, fully dated specimen an exceptional find.
Graded NGC AU Details, this piece retains impressive detail despite centuries underwater. The surfaces show light saltwater exposure, but the legends, shield, and cross elements remain sharp. Coins recovered from the 1715 Fleet frequently exhibit some level of seawater damage, making well-preserved specimens like this one particularly valuable. Despite minor impairments noted by NGC, the coin's strong strike and full date significantly enhance its desirability among collectors.
Shipwreck gold escudos from the 1715 Fleet continue to command high demand, particularly those with a full date and strong strike. Past auction results indicate that similar coins often sell for $50,000 or more, with exceptional specimens exceeding six figures. Given its historical significance, remarkable state of preservation, and the prestige associated with the 1715 Fleet, this Mexico 1711 8 Escudos represents a tangible link to the age of Spanish treasure fleets and the perils of maritime exploration. Collectors of shipwreck coinage and early Mexican gold would undoubtedly consider this a centerpiece in any collection.
Click Here to read more about the '1715 Fleet Shipwreck'
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