La Capitana Shipwreck - 8 Reales - Crowned "L" - Dated XX50
$6,200
Denomination: 7.5 Reales
Mint: Potosi, Bolivia
Assayer: "O" Juan Rodriquez de Rosa - O with a dot in the center
Date: XX50
Weight: 19.69 gm
Grade: NGC 6979766-001 - VF Details
Description: Obverse: Heavy strike with environmental wear. Crowned "L". Type G, rarity C1. Greek cross visible. Reverse: Weak strike on shield side. Shield very centered in coin, Kings ordinal visible. Mint mark "P" visible along with Assayer "O" visible.
History: La Capitana sank in October of 1654 off the coast of Chanduy, Ecuador. The 1,200- ton Spanish galleon was the largest built in Colonial America during the 17th Century, and the flagship of the Viceroyalty of Peru; and the South Sea Armada. This ship was commissioned to to carry Spanish Coins including the Potosi Mint scandal coins, the subsequent countermark coins and many others dated from 1649 to 1654. The galleon, overburdened with unregistered goods, which many say contributed to its sinking. In testimony from crew members; it was said that they could not even lower the anchors because there was so much treasure stacked on the anchor cables. At least 20 people died in their attempt to swim ashore.
All attempts to find the shipwreck failed until the location was made by Sub-America Discoveries, INC in November of 1996.