1654 Mexico 8 Reales – Maravillas Shipwreck
Item #CC-0580 | 1654 Mexico 8 Reales – Maravillas Shipwreck
Mint: Mexico
Assayer: P – Pedro Becerra
Ruler/Period: King Philip IV
Weight: 17.82 grams
For details and population on this coin from NGC, click on the serial number here: 8422856-006
Description: A nice example from the legendary wreck in the Bahamas bearing a full 1654 date and a well centered cross. This piece is sea salvaged, and can see by both the low weight and the porous nature of the surfaces that it has spent significant time in the saltwater. Fortunately, both the mint and assayers marks are present on the obverse. The reverse has a great cross that is well centered, with remnants of the castles of Castile and lions of Leon still visible. A great example!
The Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas was a Spanish treasure galleon that sank in 1656 on the Little Bahama Bank, north of Grand Bahama Island. Part of the Tierra Firme Fleet, the ship was heavily laden with silver coins, gold, jewelry, emeralds, and personal wealth belonging to merchants and nobles returning to Spain from the Americas. Shortly after departing Havana, the fleet encountered navigational confusion and poor visibility. In a tragic accident, Maravillas collided with another ship in the fleet, lost control, and struck a reef, breaking apart and sinking in shallow but treacherous waters.
Spanish salvors began recovery efforts almost immediately and worked the site for decades, recovering large amounts of treasure, but significant portions of the cargo were scattered across the seabed by storms and shifting sands. Over the centuries, the wreck site was repeatedly reworked by hurricanes, dispersing artifacts over miles. In modern times, extensive exploration—most notably by the Allen Exploration team—has uncovered spectacular gold chains, pendants, silver cobs, and personal items, making Maravillas one of the most important and well-documented Spanish shipwrecks in the Bahamas. Its story offers a rare glimpse into 17th-century maritime trade, navigation hazards, and the enduring legacy of Spanish treasure fleets.
In stock
$1,250.00
