La Capitana - 8 Reales - Dated 1653 - Assayer E - First Transitional Pillar and Wave
$3,375
Denomination: 8 Reales
Reign: Philip IV
Mint: Potosi, Peru
Assayer: "E" Erqueta (1652-1697)
Weight: 23.17 gm
Date: 1653
Description: Obverse: Full pillars and wave with two full dates, good full cross with full third date below. All three mint marks and assayers visible. Lightly corroded all over with some dark spots.
History: Following the Potosi Mint Scandal of 1650, and counter-marked "crown marked" versions of Spanish silver cob coinage, the Pillar and Wave design appeared, forever changing the design of Spanish cobs from the traditional Cross and Shield version. This is an early Pillar and Wave, first transitional version, of the new specie. Type IV.
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 American during the 17th century, and the flagship of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the South Sea Armada. This ship was commissioned to carry Spanish coins including the Potosi Mint scandal coins, the subsequent countermark coins and many other dated from 1649-1654. The galleon overburdened with unregistered goods which many say contributed to the sinking, and backed by testimonies of the crew itself, led to the greatest loss in silver coinage of any Spanish galleon of the time. It was said the crew members 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 to shore.
All attempts to find the shipwreck failed until the location was made by Sub-America Discoveries, INC in November of 1996.
Cap 2272
