Treasure Ship Tuesday: My Deep Dive into Sunken Coin Collecting

My Adventure with Shipwreck Coins

You know that thrill when you imagine treasures lying on the ocean floor? That’s what hooked me as a collector. Shipwrecks and their scattered coins sent me down this rabbit hole, and I’ve uncovered some wild stories while adding a few salty pieces to my collection. Let me share what I’ve learned along the way – maybe it’ll spark your own treasure hunt!

Discovering El Cazador: A Budget-Friendly Treasure

I first drooled over coins from the 1715 fleet, but my wallet said no. Then I found my sweet spot: Spanish 2 Reales from El Cazador (that’s “The Hunter” for us non-Spanish speakers). This little workhorse sank in the Gulf of Mexico in 1784 hauling 450,000 reales to prop up Louisiana’s economy. Picture 37,500 pounds of silver “Pieces of Eight”! Lost until 1993 when a trawler snagged it, these coins now come through the Franklin Mint. For collectors watching their budget, El Cazador pieces let you hold history without drowning in debt.

Other Sunken Gems I’ve Explored

While digging into this world, I found some other wrecks with stories that’ll make your jaw drop:

• The Johanna wreck (1682 off South Africa) dished out Spanish cob coins – still kicking myself for not grabbing one when I had the chance!
• RMS Duoro sank in 1882 after colliding near Cape Finisterre with 28,000 gold coins aboard. I’ve got my eye on an 1877 Australian sovereign from it. Graded PCGS Mint State after 115 years underwater! Check out Heritage Auction #3118, Lot 30083 to see how pristine it looks.
• The Admiral Gardner wreck – where you might actually win coins through giveaways. Talk about a low-risk way to start!

Practical Collecting Tips and Market Insights

From my hands-on experience, here’s what you should know:

• Never skip grading: PCGS or NGC slabs are must-haves. Saltwater plays nasty tricks on surfaces, but that Duoro sovereign proves miracles happen.
• Prices have gone nuts: I saw a 1967 receipt for an 8 Reales shipwreck coin – $20! Today? You’ll need auction-house money.
• Depth matters: Coins from deeper wrecks like Duoro often look better thanks to stable, low-oxygen conditions. Always check for corrosion.
• Think beyond coins: Gold rush nuggets or coral-crusted bottles with reales inside? They’re conversation starters that make history feel alive.

Beyond Coins: Unearthing Unique Artifacts

Here’s what surprised me most – shipwrecks offer way more than coins. That California Gold Rush nugget? A coral-encrusted bottle with reales fused to it? They whisper stories no textbook can match. When I hold them, I’m not just collecting – I’m time-traveling.

Join Me in Sharing Your Treasures

Now I want to see what treasures you’ve found! Whether it’s your first shipwreck coin or something priceless from your grandpa’s collection, share those stories. Let’s keep this Treasure Ship Tuesday spirit sailing – post your finds so we can all geek out together!