El Cazador Shipwreck - Two 1/2 Reales Coins - Dated 1780 and 1783 - Ear Ring set

"The Shipwreck that changed the World"

     Coin #1 

Denomination: 1/2 Reales

Mint: Mexico 

Date: 1783

Assayer: FF

Weight: 1.2 grams

Grade: NGC Genuine 8385534

Mount: 14K gold ear ring

     Coin #2

Denomination: 1/2 Reale

Mint: Mexico 

Date: 1783

Assayer: F.F.

Weight: 1.4 gold ear ring

Grade: NGC Genuine - 8385534-004

Description: Reverse: Between the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar) are the two crowned Hemispheres of this world.  Obverse: Bears a traditional bust of the King.

Mount: 14K gold ear ring 

History: This historic artifact was recovered from the Spanish Brigantine of War "El Cazador" (The Hunter) which was lost with all hands in stormy winter seas in the Gulf of Mexico, in January of 1784. 

In 1762, Spain received Louisiana (which ran from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, comprising nearly a million square miles) from France as a result of the Seven Year War. 

In late 1783, King Carolus III ordered Captain Gabriel de Campos y Pineda to Veracruz, Mexico. The El Cazador departed Veracruz for New Orleans on the 11th of January, 1784, carrying 450,000 pesos, never to be heard from again. 

By 1800, Spain could no longer control colonial Louisiana, and was forced to cede it back to France. In 1803, the U.S. purchased Louisiana from Napoleon's France, thus doubling the size of the United States. 

8385534-004

8385534-005

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