PERU 1709 FINEST KNOWN 8 ESCUDOS NGC 63 1715 FLEET SHIPWRECK PIRATE GOLD COINS

Description: Step back in time with this PERU 8 ESCUDOS 1709 Gold Cob Doubloon Coin, certified NGC 63—the “FINEST KNOWN” piece from the famous 1715 Fleet wreck! This remarkable treasure weighs 26.9 grams and is one of only 9 others ever graded, making it a rare jewel of the seas and a testament to the splendor of Spanish imperial coinage. Crafted at the Lima Mint, this coin features an oversized, perfectly round planchet and showcases a FULL CROWN with sharp detail—a proud symbol of the Spanish monarchy under King Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain. Philip V, a grandson of France’s “Sun King” Louis XIV, ascended to the throne as a young man and inherited a fractured empire. Determined to strengthen his rule and uphold Spain’s global dominance, he poured resources into expanding Spain’s wealth from its colonies, spurring the creation of gold coins like this doubloon. On this extraordinary coin, the obverse legends proclaim “REX HISPANIARUM ET” (KING of SPAIN and the INDIES), while the reverse reads “HISPAN*PHILIPUS. V. DG” (PHILIP V of SPAIN by the Grace of GOD). The cross design is precisely centered and fully struck, with all details crisply visible—a masterpiece of numismatic craftsmanship. Its well-preserved luster and exceptional eye appeal earn it a “5-STAR EYE APPEAL” rating, making it the pinnacle of 1715 Fleet coins. On the fateful night of July 30, 1715, just seven days after departing Havana, 11 of the 12 Spanish treasure ships known as the "1715 Plate Fleet" met a tragic end in a hurricane near Vero Beach, Florida. This fleet, brimming with silver, gold, and jewels bound for King Philip V, earned its name from the Spanish word “plata” (silver). With countless lives and treasures lost to the sea, tales of “Pirate’s Gold” took shape as salvage efforts—including raids by infamous privateer Henry Jennings—unfolded over the years. Despite a lengthy recovery effort, much of this treasure remains hidden to this day, with pieces occasionally washing up along Florida’s shores. The 1715 fleet’s story traces back to the War of Spanish Succession’s end, as King Philip V sought a new queen and a fitting dowry. Two fleets were sent to the New World, amassing gold coins, Colombian emeralds, Peruvian jewels, and precious artifacts. In July, they set sail from Havana with a massive escort, laden with royal treasures such as a 74-carat emerald ring and a heart-shaped pendant with 130 matched pearls. As storm winds reached 100 knots, disaster struck on July 31st. Over 1,000 lives were lost, with shipwreck debris spanning 30 miles. After four years, Spain ceased their salvage efforts, recovering only a fraction of the estimated 14 million pesos of treasure lost. Yet the treasures of this sunken fleet still surface! In 2010, explorers uncovered a bronze swivel gun from the 1715 wreckage containing 51 Gold Escudos and 40 Silver Reales, followed by a prized “Pelican in Piety” artifact valued at $885,000. More finds, including a 50-foot gold chain, keep this fleet’s legacy alive, captivating treasure hunters and history buffs alike.

Price: 79500 USD

Location: La Jolla, California

End Time: 2024-12-30T19:56:40.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD