COLOMBIA 2 ESCUDOS 1712 "1715 FLEET SHIPWRECK" PCGS 63 PIRATE TREASURE COINS

Description: DATED 1712! Extremely RARE! Colombia 2 Escudos with beautiful Luster and a POP Top ~ Finest Known!A Glimpse into Maritime History Historical ContextThe early 18th century was a period of intense maritime activity, driven by the Spanish Empire's need to transport vast quantities of wealth from its colonies in the Americas back to Spain. This wealth was primarily in the form of gold and silver coins and ingots, which were minted in various colonial mints, including those in Colombia. The 1715 Treasure Fleet, also known as the Spanish Plate Fleet, was one such convoy tasked with this mission. It consisted of 12 ships laden with treasures from the New World, including gold escudos, silver reales, and other valuable goods.The 1715 Fleet DisasterOn July 31, 1715, the fleet encountered a catastrophic hurricane off the coast of Florida. The storm proved devastating, sinking 11 of the 12 ships and scattering their precious cargo along the seabed. This disaster marked one of the largest maritime losses of treasure in history, with estimates of the lost cargo reaching into the hundreds of millions in today's dollars.The Colombia 2 Escudos CoinAmong the treasures lost were the Colombia 2 escudos coins, minted in the early 18th century. These coins were produced in the Spanish colonial mints, with the 1712 issue being particularly notable. The coins were hand-struck, a process that involved manually hammering coin blanks between engraved dies. This method resulted in coins that often varied in shape and detail, making each piece unique.The obverse of the 2 escudos typically features the cross of Jerusalem, surrounded by castles and lions, symbolizing the union of Castile and León. The reverse displays the Pillars of Hercules, a motif representing Spain's imperial reach. The inscriptions often include the name of the reigning monarch, Philip V, and the mint mark, which in this case would be associated with the Colombian mint.Salvage and Modern SignificanceThe story of the 1715 Fleet did not end with its sinking. Over the centuries, the wreck sites attracted the attention of treasure hunters and salvagers. In the mid-20th century, modern salvage operations began in earnest. Notably, treasure hunter Kip Wagner and his team made significant recoveries, bringing to light thousands of coins, including the coveted 2 escudos.These coins, when recovered, are often found in remarkably good condition, protected by the sandy seabed. They are highly prized by collectors and historians alike, not only for their intrinsic value as gold coins but also for their historical significance. Each coin serves as a tangible connection to the early 18th-century maritime world, a time of exploration, empire, and perilous voyages.In ConclusionThe Colombia 2 escudos coin from 1712, salvaged from the 1715 Fleet shipwreck, is more than just a piece of gold. It is a relic of a bygone era, encapsulating the ambitions and risks of the Spanish Empire's transatlantic endeavors. As these coins continue to be discovered and studied, they offer invaluable insights into the economic and cultural exchanges that shaped the early modern world.31

Price: 14450 USD

Location: La Jolla, California

End Time: 2024-10-09T03:46:32.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD