Mexico: Philip IV "Maravillas" Cob 8 Reales ND (1634-1656) Mo-P Fine (Shipwreck Effect),...

Description

Philip IV "Maravillas" Cob 8 Reales ND (1634-1656) Mo-P Fine (Shipwreck Effect), Mexico City mint, KM45. 13.32gm. Accompanied by COA. Salvaged from the "Maravillas" (sunk in 1656 off Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas).

The Nuestra Señora de Las Maravillas was the almiranta of the 1656 treasure fleet. Bringing a large amount of treasure officially, and likely lots in contraband as well, it carried much of the silver salvaged from the Capitana, wrecked two years before off modern Day Chanduy, Ecuador. Bad weather and unexpected shallow waters claimed the ship and most of its crew. Considered by some a cursed treasure, it once again found itself in the bottom of the seas, with some half of it recovered by the Spaniards, with the remaining cargo only rediscovered centuries later. After Bob Marx first initiated the salvaging of the wreck in the 1970's, some rare transitional pieces from the Potosi Scandal came to market, alongside rare Colombian silver Cobs. The second main salvaging brought many gold Cobs to market in the 1990's, with some believing the main hull is yet to be found.

Metal: Silver

More information about Mexican Coins. See also: Mexico World Coin Nationality.