La Capitana Shipwreck - 8 Reales - Dated 1654 - Assayer: "E" Erqueta - Bold Pillar and Wave.
$4,500
Denomination: 8 Reales
Date: 1654
Mint: Potosi
Weight: 25.05 g
Reign: Carlos II
Assayer: “E” 1652-1679
Grade: NGC – 2880332-019 – AU details.
Description: La Capitana Shipwreck. Obverse: Bold Pillar and Wave. Assayer and Mint marks visible. Date xx54 visible. Reverse: Jerusalem Cross. Date xx54 visible. Broken die strike.
History: La Capitana sank in October of 1654 off the coast of Chanduy, Ecuador. The 1,200-tonSpanish 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 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.
2880332-019