Peru 8 Escudos 1712 "1715 Fleet Shipwreck" NGC 62
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Peru, Lima Mint, Gold Cob 8 Escudos, 1712-M, NGC MS 62 (1715 Fleet Shipwreck Label)
Weight: 26.85 grams | S-L28; Cal-2120; Fr-7; KM-38.2
With Original Photo-Certificate from the 1715 Fleet
A golden survivor from one of the most dramatic maritime disasters in history, this 1712 Lima gold cob 8 escudos, struck under King Philip V, carries the unmistakable legacy of empire, oceanic trade, and royal ambition. Certified Mint State 62 by NGC, this specimen boasts a broad flan, nearly full legends, a bold “712” date, and an impressively sharp pillars-and-waves design—a hallmark of the Lima mint. Its clear cross of Jerusalem flanked by castles and lions, faint coral deposits in the crevices, and shimmering muted luster speak to both its beauty and its long slumber beneath the sea.
A Treasure Lost to the Deep: The 1715 Fleet
This coin was recovered from the fabled 1715 Fleet, a convoy of Spanish treasure galleons that met its watery fate in a catastrophic hurricane off the coast of Florida. The fleet—known as the "Plata Flota"—was returning to Spain with immense wealth mined from the colonies: chests of gold and silver coins, emeralds, pearls, and precious artifacts intended to refill the war-depleted coffers of Philip V.
Just before dawn on July 31, 1715, the fleet encountered a fierce storm near present-day Vero Beach, Florida. Eleven of the twelve ships were smashed against reefs and scattered along the coastline. Over 1,000 sailors and passengers perished, and much of the treasure was lost to the ocean floor.
For the Spanish Crown, the loss was devastating. Philip V, Spain’s first Bourbon king, had only recently emerged from the War of the Spanish Succession, a costly conflict that pitted major European powers against one another over his right to rule. Spain was left weakened and impoverished, relying heavily on New World treasure to stabilize its economy. The loss of the 1715 Fleet not only delayed desperately needed funds but also emboldened pirates and rival nations eager to intercept future shipments.
Efforts to recover the treasure began almost immediately, with salvagers using diving bells and enslaved divers, but only a fraction was recovered in the 18th century. Centuries later, in the 1950s and '60s, modern treasure hunters like Kip Wagner and Mel Fisher rekindled the search—recovering millions in gold and silver and reigniting fascination with this legendary fleet.
Philip V and the Birth of the Bourbon Dynasty
The coin also stands as a tangible symbol of King Philip V’s reign (1700–1746). The grandson of France’s Louis XIV, Philip ascended to the Spanish throne at just 16, founding the Bourbon dynasty that still reigns in Spain today. His rule was marked by modernization efforts and centralization of power, but also by war, political intrigue, and financial strain. Spanish colonial mints, such as Lima, became essential tools in sustaining his empire. Coins like this 8 escudos not only reflected royal authority but were the literal lifeblood of imperial Spain.
A Golden Artifact with a Story to Tell
This coin is not just gold—it’s history, pulled from the depths after more than 250 years underwater. It bears the marks of its journey: coral traces in its crevices, minimal doubling, and vibrant detail preserved by the silt of the sea. Unlike so many coins lost to time or melted down for bullion, this 1712 Lima 8 escudos is a testament to survival—of treasure, empire, and memory.
With its dramatic provenance, eye-catching detail, and rich historical significance, this is a crown jewel for any collector, museum, or aficionado of maritime adventure.32
Click Here to read more about the '1715 Fleet Shipwreck'
Weight: 26.85 grams | S-L28; Cal-2120; Fr-7; KM-38.2
With Original Photo-Certificate from the 1715 Fleet
A golden survivor from one of the most dramatic maritime disasters in history, this 1712 Lima gold cob 8 escudos, struck under King Philip V, carries the unmistakable legacy of empire, oceanic trade, and royal ambition. Certified Mint State 62 by NGC, this specimen boasts a broad flan, nearly full legends, a bold “712” date, and an impressively sharp pillars-and-waves design—a hallmark of the Lima mint. Its clear cross of Jerusalem flanked by castles and lions, faint coral deposits in the crevices, and shimmering muted luster speak to both its beauty and its long slumber beneath the sea.
A Treasure Lost to the Deep: The 1715 Fleet
This coin was recovered from the fabled 1715 Fleet, a convoy of Spanish treasure galleons that met its watery fate in a catastrophic hurricane off the coast of Florida. The fleet—known as the "Plata Flota"—was returning to Spain with immense wealth mined from the colonies: chests of gold and silver coins, emeralds, pearls, and precious artifacts intended to refill the war-depleted coffers of Philip V.
Just before dawn on July 31, 1715, the fleet encountered a fierce storm near present-day Vero Beach, Florida. Eleven of the twelve ships were smashed against reefs and scattered along the coastline. Over 1,000 sailors and passengers perished, and much of the treasure was lost to the ocean floor.
For the Spanish Crown, the loss was devastating. Philip V, Spain’s first Bourbon king, had only recently emerged from the War of the Spanish Succession, a costly conflict that pitted major European powers against one another over his right to rule. Spain was left weakened and impoverished, relying heavily on New World treasure to stabilize its economy. The loss of the 1715 Fleet not only delayed desperately needed funds but also emboldened pirates and rival nations eager to intercept future shipments.
Efforts to recover the treasure began almost immediately, with salvagers using diving bells and enslaved divers, but only a fraction was recovered in the 18th century. Centuries later, in the 1950s and '60s, modern treasure hunters like Kip Wagner and Mel Fisher rekindled the search—recovering millions in gold and silver and reigniting fascination with this legendary fleet.
Philip V and the Birth of the Bourbon Dynasty
The coin also stands as a tangible symbol of King Philip V’s reign (1700–1746). The grandson of France’s Louis XIV, Philip ascended to the Spanish throne at just 16, founding the Bourbon dynasty that still reigns in Spain today. His rule was marked by modernization efforts and centralization of power, but also by war, political intrigue, and financial strain. Spanish colonial mints, such as Lima, became essential tools in sustaining his empire. Coins like this 8 escudos not only reflected royal authority but were the literal lifeblood of imperial Spain.
A Golden Artifact with a Story to Tell
This coin is not just gold—it’s history, pulled from the depths after more than 250 years underwater. It bears the marks of its journey: coral traces in its crevices, minimal doubling, and vibrant detail preserved by the silt of the sea. Unlike so many coins lost to time or melted down for bullion, this 1712 Lima 8 escudos is a testament to survival—of treasure, empire, and memory.
With its dramatic provenance, eye-catching detail, and rich historical significance, this is a crown jewel for any collector, museum, or aficionado of maritime adventure.32
Click Here to read more about the '1715 Fleet Shipwreck'
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