(1622-28) Mo Mexico 4 Reales Philip IV Lucayan Beach Shipwreck VF Details

Discover a rare and fascinating piece of maritime history with the Mo Mexico 4 Reales coin from the 1622 Lucayan Beach Shipwreck, struck during the reign of Philip IV. This extraordinary artifact offers a tangible connection to the past, encapsulating the stories of ancient voyages and historical adventures.

The Lucayan Beach Treasure Coins, are one of only a small amount of Shipwreck finds, that can be attributed to Pirates. One of history’s most significant numismatic finds, these are 100% authentic cobs from the wreck salvage. They were minted by Spain, in Mexico for the 13 colonies. The ship transporting them was captured by pirates along with the whole Spanish fleet in 1628 and then lost at sea. Nearly 340 years later they were discovered and these, which are among the last ones available for public purchase, have not seen the light of day for decades and are fresh back from being authenticated and certified by NGC.

The Lucayan Beach Wreck was discovered August 1964 by four Americans in the waters off Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. The 4 divers conducted a water sports business based at the Lucayan Beach Hotel and the discovery was made in only 10' of water less than a mile from the hotel. This was one of the most significant finds in numismatic history. Though the mystery of the ships name was never solved, it's known that it was among the wreck of the Dutch Pirate Piet Heyn who had captured the entire Spanish Fleet at Matanzas Bay, Cuba in 1628. It's known that 2 of the captured vessels were lost at sea during their return voyage, and this is from one of those 2 ships. Piet Heyn (Pieter Pieterszoon) was a Dutch admiral and privateer for the Dutch Republic during the Eighty Years' War. Heyn was the first and the last to capture a large part of a Spanish treasure fleet which transported huge amounts of gold and silver from Spanish America to Spain.

That makes this one of only a few certified pirate treasure finds known. Most of the coins discovered were minted 1613 - 1626 in Mexico City, MX during the reign of Philip IV and bear the OMD Mint mark. A small number of additional coins found were minted during the reigns of Filipe II & III in Potosi, Bolivia & Mexico City bearing the mintmarks PR, OMA & OMP.

This particular coin displays dominant shades of grey and silver, indicative of its prolonged submersion and subsequent recovery from the ocean's depths. The weathered and worn condition of the Mo Mexico 4 Reales coin is characteristic of many shipwrecked treasures, enhancing its historical and aesthetic appeal. Areas of lighter coloration provide a striking contrast, highlighting intricate details of the coin's design that have survived the test of time.

As one of the surviving pieces from the Lucayan Beach Shipwreck, this coin is not just a collectible but a piece of history, offering collectors and enthusiasts a direct link to the treasures of the past. Seize the opportunity to own a remarkable artifact that tells the tale of 17th-century maritime exploration and the enduring legacy of colonial Spanish coinage.