Auction Name: 2026 January 4 Spotlight: Mexico World Coins Showcase Auction

Lot Number: 21002

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/61584*21002

Charles & Johanna "Golden Fleece" Early Series 4 Reales ND (1541-1542) M-P AU Details (Saltwater Damage) NGC, Mexico City mint, Cal-123. 12.15gm. Salvaged from the "Golden Fleece" shipwreck (sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean).

The Golden Fleece shipwreck is a vessel in the northern Caribbean nicknamed for a royal stamping, known as Golden Fleece, that was found on several of the gold 'finger' ingots and coins. A few dozen of these gold and silver ingots were salvaged with varying purities, reminiscent of the famous "tumbaga" bars. Significantly, it is believed that the Golden Fleece ingots are the only known examples made in the colonies between the "tumbaga" era of the 1520s and the ones found on the 1554 Padre Island Fleet. Almost all the recovered coins are Mexican Carlos-Juana silver pieces (all assayers prior to S) apart from some extremely rare Santo Domingo pieces. Notably, three examples of the very first 8 Reales ever struck in the New World were found - the Rincón "Early Series" 8 Reales of 1538.

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