| Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. > Buy or Bid Sale 230 | Auction date: 28 January 2025 |
| Lot number: 552 Price realized: 650 USD (Approx. 624 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Bolivia, Atocha Shipwreck, ND, NV, 8 Reales, F; Bolivia, Atocha Shipwreck, ND NV, 8 Reales, F, Philip III. 1598-1621. Grade 3, with hole. Silver, 33.6mm, 18.1g. Potosi mint. Mint P, Assayer NV. ATOCHA 1985 ticket, TSI Number 85A-115002. Crowned arms / Cross with lions and castles in the angles. KM 10. On September 6, 1622, the heavily laden treasure galleon "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" of King Philip IV's Tierra Firme Fleet struck a reef and sank in a raging storm near the Florida Keys. More than two hundred and sixty persons perished and tons of gold, silver, and other precious cargo were lost to the sea. All attempts to locate the shipwreck failed until the location of the primary cultural deposit was made by Mel Fisher's Treasure Salvors, Inc., on July 20th 1985.The "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" carried over 200,000 hand stamped silver coins from mints in Potosi, Lima and Mexico City. To date, only 128 gold Atocha coins have been recovered! The gold Atocha coins were minted in Spain, as gold coins were not minted in the New World in 1622. The gold Atocha coins would have been in the pockets and possessions of the wealthy passengers. Estimate: 650 USD |  |
Match 1:
| Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. > Buy or Bid Sale 230 | Auction date: 28 January 2025 |
| Lot number: 551 Price realized: 600 USD (Approx. 576 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Bolivia, Atocha Shipwreck, ND, NV, 8 Reales, F; Bolivia, Atocha Shipwreck, ND NV, 8 Reales, F, Philip III. 1598-1621. Grade 3, with hole. Silver, 35.3mm, 18.1g. Potosi mint. Mint P, Assayer NV. ATOCHA 1985 ticket, TSI Number 85A-231686. Crowned arms / Cross with lions and castles in the angles. KM 10. On September 6, 1622, the heavily laden treasure galleon "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" of King Philip IV's Tierra Firme Fleet struck a reef and sank in a raging storm near the Florida Keys. More than two hundred and sixty persons perished and tons of gold, silver, and other precious cargo were lost to the sea. All attempts to locate the shipwreck failed until the location of the primary cultural deposit was made by Mel Fisher's Treasure Salvors, Inc., on July 20th 1985.The "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" carried over 200,000 hand stamped silver coins from mints in Potosi, Lima and Mexico City. To date, only 128 gold Atocha coins have been recovered! The gold Atocha coins were minted in Spain, as gold coins were not minted in the New World in 1622. The gold Atocha coins would have been in the pockets and possessions of the wealthy passengers. Estimate: 600 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > January 2025 NYINC Auction | Auction date: 17 January 2025 |
| Lot number: 37561 Price realized: 600 USD (Approx. 583 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: BOLIVIA. Atocha Shipwreck Recovered Cob 2 Reales, ND (1598-1621)-P. Potosi Mint. Philip III. PCGS Genuine--Salt Water Damage, Fine Details. KM-8. Weight: 4.77 gms. Ex: Atocha Shipwreck sold with Treasure Salvors matching certificate and ticket #85A-216901. Estimate: $300 - $600 |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61505 | Auction date: 12 May 2025 |
| Lot number: 24041 Price realized: 700 USD (Approx. 621 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Bolivia Philip III "Santa Margarita" Cob 8 Reales ND (1618) XF (Shipwreck Effect), Potosi mint, KM10, Cal-Type 165. 15.23gm. Grade III. Salvaged from the Santa Margarita (sunk in 1622 off Key West, Florida). Sold with original tag and Treasure Salvors photo-certificate 2699. The Santa Margarita, part of the ill-fated Spanish treasure fleet of 1622, sailed alongside its sister ship, the famous Nuestra Señora de Atocha, carrying immense riches from the Americas back to Spain. Departing Havana on September 4, 1622, the fleet encountered a devastating hurricane in the Florida Keys. Many ships, including the Santa Margarita, succumbed to the storm, scattering their treasures across the seabed and along Florida's coast. The Santa Margarita's cargo manifest included a staggering collection of wealth: silver coins, gold ingots, and exquisite jewelry. However, as was common for the period, much of its true value went undocumented due to rampant smuggling to avoid royal taxes. Alongside these treasures, the ship carried personal belongings of its passengers, including ornate religious artifacts and luxury goods destined for European markets. Efforts by the Spanish to recover the wreck's treasure in the years following the disaster were largely unsuccessful, despite deploying indigenous and African divers to salvage what they could from the wreckage. The location of the Santa Margarita remained a mystery for centuries until modern treasure hunters, led by Mel Fisher, began a methodical search for the 1622 fleet in the 1970s. By the early 1980s, significant portions of the Santa Margarita's treasure were recovered, including gold bars, silver coins, and intricate jewelry, showcasing the ship's opulence and historical significance. The discoveries revealed stunning examples of 17th-century craftsmanship, including emerald-studded gold crosses and delicate chains. Unlike the Atocha, whose main "motherlode" was found in 1985, the Santa Margarita's treasures were more dispersed, making recovery efforts challenging and time-consuming. Today, the artifacts from the Santa Margarita provide valuable insight into Spain's colonial trade and the global movement of wealth during the 17th century. These treasures, now showcased in museums and private collections, highlight the enduring legacy of the 1622 fleet and the perilous journeys of Spain's maritime empire. The Santa Margarita, while overshadowed by the Atocha's fame, remains a vital piece of this historic maritime tragedy. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice https://coins.ha.com/itm/bolivia/bolivia-philip-iii-santa-margarita-cob-8-reales-nd-1618-xf-shipwreck-effect-/a/61505-24041.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61505-05122025 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 4:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61505 | Auction date: 12 May 2025 |
| Lot number: 24042 Price realized: 1,300 USD (Approx. 1,154 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Bolivia Philip III "Santa Margarita" Cob 8 Reales 1620 P-T XF (Shipwreck Effect), Potosi mint, KM10, Cal-929. 24.54gm. Grade III. Salvaged from the Santa Margarita (sunk in 1622 off Key West, Florida). A solid piece with a discernible date. Sold with original tag and Treasure Salvors photo-certificate 8986. The Santa Margarita, part of the ill-fated Spanish treasure fleet of 1622, sailed alongside its sister ship, the famous Nuestra Señora de Atocha, carrying immense riches from the Americas back to Spain. Departing Havana on September 4, 1622, the fleet encountered a devastating hurricane in the Florida Keys. Many ships, including the Santa Margarita, succumbed to the storm, scattering their treasures across the seabed and along Florida's coast. The Santa Margarita's cargo manifest included a staggering collection of wealth: silver coins, gold ingots, and exquisite jewelry. However, as was common for the period, much of its true value went undocumented due to rampant smuggling to avoid royal taxes. Alongside these treasures, the ship carried personal belongings of its passengers, including ornate religious artifacts and luxury goods destined for European markets. Efforts by the Spanish to recover the wreck's treasure in the years following the disaster were largely unsuccessful, despite deploying indigenous and African divers to salvage what they could from the wreckage. The location of the Santa Margarita remained a mystery for centuries until modern treasure hunters, led by Mel Fisher, began a methodical search for the 1622 fleet in the 1970s. By the early 1980s, significant portions of the Santa Margarita's treasure were recovered, including gold bars, silver coins, and intricate jewelry, showcasing the ship's opulence and historical significance. The discoveries revealed stunning examples of 17th-century craftsmanship, including emerald-studded gold crosses and delicate chains. Unlike the Atocha, whose main "motherlode" was found in 1985, the Santa Margarita's treasures were more dispersed, making recovery efforts challenging and time-consuming. Today, the artifacts from the Santa Margarita provide valuable insight into Spain's colonial trade and the global movement of wealth during the 17th century. These treasures, now showcased in museums and private collections, highlight the enduring legacy of the 1622 fleet and the perilous journeys of Spain's maritime empire. The Santa Margarita, while overshadowed by the Atocha's fame, remains a vital piece of this historic maritime tragedy. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice https://coins.ha.com/itm/bolivia/bolivia-philip-iii-santa-margarita-cob-8-reales-1620-p-t-xf-shipwreck-effect-/a/61505-24042.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61505-05122025 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 5:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61505 | Auction date: 12 May 2025 |
| Lot number: 24057 Price realized: 950 USD (Approx. 843 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Bolivia Philip III "Atocha" Cob 8 Reales ND (1598-1621) XF (Shipwreck Effect), Potosi mint, KM10 (Castles & Lions Transposed variety). 18.70gm. Grade 3. Salvaged from the "Nuestra Señora de Atocha" (sunk in 1622 off Key West, Florida). Sold with original tag and Treasure Salvors photo-certificate 85A-158326 The Nuestra Señora de Atocha was the Admiral Galleon of the Tierra Firme Fleet, a twenty-eight-ship fleet carrying an unprecedented amount of treasure from the Americas. Sailing from Havana bound to Spain on the 4th of September 1622, the armada was hit by a massive hurricane in the Florida Keys, most of the fleet being decimated and the treasure sinking to the Atlantic seabed. The Spanish efforts to retrieve the precious cargo weren't fruitful, which led to the scattering of the vast amount of treasure across the Florida coast with subsequent hurricanes. The original manifesto of the Atocha was impressive: 24 tons of silver in 1038 ingots, 180,000 Pesos in silver coins, 582 copper ingots, 125 gold bars and discs, 1,200 pounds of worked silverware and other goods; and that's only what was officially transported, since smuggling treasure to avoid taxes was very common in the period, with some estimating that a large percentage of the total cargo was in contraband. In 1969, treasure hunter Mel Fisher began a long-lasting, 16-year quest to locate the treasure. Over the years, isolated coins and artifacts were found scattered across Florida's "treasure coast", many given to investors who funded the operation. In 1973 three silver bars were found and matched to the original 17th century manifesto, leading the crew closer to the main wreck site. By 1980 a significant part of the Santa Margarita had been located, counting with gold bars, silver coins and jewelry. On July 20th, 1985, the motherlode was located, when divers found a "reef of bars". The main pile of the Atocha provided countless artifacts which quickly became immersed in Florida's pop culture and would later become perhaps the world's most famous shipwreck treasure in history. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice https://coins.ha.com/itm/bolivia/bolivia-philip-iii-atocha-cob-8-reales-nd-1598-1621-xf-shipwreck-effect-/a/61505-24057.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61505-05122025 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
