I think for me, like so many others, it really started with pirate history and the Pirates of the Caribbean films. When I did research as I became an adult, I found how readily available coins from the Spanish Empire were online. Coins are also quite easy to store and transport, compared to heavy relics can be. Also, with grading companies like PCGS and NGC to authenticate them, I knew that would be my safest way to build a true collection!
Yes! I sold my first coin at an auction back in 2018. I purchased a Seville 2 escudos from the reign of Philip II at a local coin shop and sold it for 3 times what I paid at auction! I was stunned and instantly knew I could do something amazing with this business. I haven’t looked back!
I have handled a few amazing pieces in the last several years, but by far the most historically significant would be a Mexico Royal 8 Escudos from the 1715 Fleet. It was not my coin, but I was able to see it in person and hold it. Truly a coin I hope to own one day!
I think the recently discovered wreck of the San Jose off of Colombia fascinates me the most.
I think the recently discovered wreck of the San Jose off of Colombia fascinates me the most. The story of the fierce battle between the Spanish and English ships is legendary. I can only imagine how terrifying the sight was when that vessel exploded and sank in a matter of minutes. The sheer volume of gold aboard makes all other wrecks recovered to date look like nothing!
It is difficult to prove the provenance in a vast majority of the Spanish Colonial coins out there. Many companies and individuals make their own certificates of authenticity with the intention of driving up the price to benefit themselves. I try to do my best to buy authenticated coins with provenance when I can. What makes it so hard is the sheer number of fake certificates, fraudulent provenance and fake coins being passed off as legitimately floating around the internet. I am also privy of knowledge of coins recovered from wrecks without any blessing of a local government to do so. When treasure is involved, far too many people prefer to break the law than follow it and the proper archaeological procedure. This is twofold, however. On one hand, people want to save these treasures from further destruction by natural forces such as saltwater corrosion, storm damage and the like. On the other hand, many federal and local laws are placed around the world to make it nearly impossible to do the right thing. Laws are enacted all over the world without being voted on that block of entire stretches of land and sea from ever being searched and preserved. All of this under the excuse of “saving it for future generations”. A joke, if you ask me, is thinking many more generations will be able to recover anything once all the historical treasures have been destroyed by humans or nature.
Firstly, do your research. Find books about shipwreck salvage, Spanish colonial coins, etc. and absorb as much as you can. Learn what a coin should weigh, the designs on them and the history about each known wreck that is out there. Second, find an expert you can trust online who can give you insight into what you have or may be interested in purchasing. More often than not, collectors and dealers in Spanish Colonial coins will be happy to describe and even verify authenticity of a coin in question.
That there are just as many fake coins as real ones online. I personally avoid places like eBay for the number of fake coins passing as legit pieces with false provenance. When I was early in my collecting, I was burned a few times on coins that looked right but later found out were completely faked. Also, look at past auctions and listed prices for coins. You will see where the market is in regard to price for each type of coin, what sets certain examples above others, and will help you narrow down what you can afford.
Shipwreck coins always have a demand, and likely always will. The allure and fascination surrounding treasure will endure any market change. In the last 10 years, prices of shipwreck coins have not slowed down. The prices were steadily growing up until 2020, then things went through the atmosphere. More people began getting back into collecting, found new interests and began scooping up everything that was out there. In the future, I see it plateauing unless a large amount of material hits the market. So much of what was out there has all been snatched up at auction and is being held by collectors. I hope it corrects itself and the absurd prices for these coins finally come back down.
Shipwreck coins always have a demand, and likely always will. The allure and fascination surrounding treasure will endure any market change
I think people who love a good story, love history and are interested in seeing something real in hand love what I do. I grew my presence online swiftly over the last 5 years because no one was doing it like I could do it. No one cared to go deeper than the surface. Shipwrecks and the search of long-lost treasure appeals to so many people, so I believe that sharing those stories will inspire generations to come.
I have had so much wonderful feedback over the last 5 years from people who share my passion for history that it truly keeps me doing this. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the amazing people who share and like my content. I am so blessed every day to be able to do what I do and get interest from those who care. At trade shows I often have kids and adults alike coming up asking to see my favorite new treasure, to take a picture or shake my hand, or even buy their first coin from me because they were so hooked on what I share. I love this hobby and career, and it is my greatest joy to inspire people to dive into history like I have and see what treasures it really holds.
Always the story! The story holds the true value of any piece in my opinion. Which would you rather have: a coin from some shipwreck that looks cool and unique, or a coin you found with a loved one or friend, detecting a beach after a storm? I don’t know about you but the coin I find with a friend or family member would be worth infinitely more than what I could buy online.
The sinking of the San Jose would be the wreck that comes to mind. The sheer awe of seeing the powder battery explode on a massive Spanish galleon would be something unmatched even today. I imagine it rained gold for a short time, and I sure would love to have seen something like that, despite the utter brutality of the day.
That’s a tough one for me! I would have to say any of the actual pirate ships that were sunk by the English or Spanish in the late 17th I would love to see what sort of finds there are just waiting to be recovered!
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