MEL FISHER Spanish Colonial 1715 Shipwreck 8 Reales Mount In 14Kt Gold Frame
A shipwreck 8 Reales Spanish colonial coin pendant made by Mel Fisher.
This is a genuine and authentic shipwreck piece-of-eight from the Spanish colonial period. The is an 8 Reales coin struck at the Mexico city mint under the kingdom of Phillip V of Spain, circa 1701-1714. It is mounted in a customized hand-made frame masterfully crafted in solid yellow gold of 14 karats with high polished finish and fitted on top with a movable ring to wear in a chain. The coin was mounted by Mel Fisher and originally sold at his museum-store located in Key West Florida.
The 1715 Treasure Fleet
This was a combination of two Spanish treasure fleets returning from the New World to Spain, the "Nueva España Fleet", under Captain-General Don Juan Esteban de Ubilla, and the "Tierra Firme Fleet", under Don Antonio de Echeverz y Zubiza. At two in the morning on Wednesday, July 31, 1715, seven days after departing from Havana, Cuba, all eleven ships of the fleet were lost in a hurricane along the east coast of Florida. A 12th ship, the French frigate Le Grifon, had sailed with the fleet. Its captain was unfamiliar with the Florida coastline and elected to stay further out to sea. Le Grifon safely returned to Europe. Because the fleet was carrying silver, it is also known as the 1715 Plate Fleet (plata being the Spanish word for silver). Some artifacts and even coins still wash up on Florida beaches from time to time.[not verified in body] According to Cuban records, around 1,500 sailors perished while a small number survived in lifeboats. Many ships, including pirates, took part in the initial salvage. Initially a privateer, Henry Jennings was first accused of piracy for attacking such salvage ships and claiming their salvages. By the end of August, relief ships from Havana arrived at the site of the sunken fleet. After Urca de Lima's cargo was salvaged, she was burned down to the waterline to hide her position from pirates and privateers of other nations, who had become aware of the sunken treasure fleet as well. In December, the pirates Henry Jennings and Charles Vane captured a Spanish mail ship and got the exact position of the main Spanish salvage camp and Urca de Lima from her captain, Pedro de la Vega. They surprised the camp with a superior force and Salmón had no choice but to surrender the rest of the salvaged treasure that still remained in the camp. The pirates made off with about £87,500 of gold and silver.
The Piece Of Eight
The Spanish dollar, originally known as the piece of eight (Spanish: real de a ocho, peso duro, peso fuerte or peso), and much later also dollar is a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter worth eight Spanish reales. It was minted in the Spanish Empire following a monetary reform in 1497 with content 25.563 g (0.8219 ozt) fine silver. It was widely used as the first international currency because of its uniformity in standard and milling characteristics. Some countries countermarked the Spanish dollar so it could be used as their local currency. Because the Spanish dollar was widely used in Europe, the Americas, and the Far East, it became the first world currency by the 16th century. The Spanish dollar was the coin upon which the original United States dollar was based (at 0.7735 troy ounces or 24.06 grams), and it remained legal tender in the United States until the Coinage Act of 1857. Many other currencies around the world, such as the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan, were initially based on the Spanish dollar and other 8-real coins. Most theories trace the origin of the "$" symbol, which originally had two vertical bars, to the pillars of Hercules wrapped in ribbons that appear on the reverse side of the Spanish dollar
Denomination: 8 Reales, piece-of-eight.
Country: Mexico, Spanish colonial
Period: Shipwreck, circa 1715 Fleet.
Weight: 32.95 Grams, (21.15 Dwt).
Measurements: 60 mm by 33 mm by 4.5 mm, (2.36 x 1.30 x 0.18 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the mark for the assay and warranty of the .585/.999 gold and and electronically tested for 14Kt yellow gold with results as follows, ".585/.999 Au".
Collateral: This Shipwreck 8 Reales pendant is accompanied by the Mel Fisher Key West presentation jewelry box.
Collateral: This necklace is accompanied by a certificate appraisal prepared by a GIA certified gemologist stating all the characteristics of this piece of jewelry, the exact description of the gemstones and the today's market replacement value.
Condition: The overall condition of this Shipwreck 8 Reales pendant is excellent. Besides the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. All parts are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P111825OCEH/.6178
