Product details
Shipwreck Silver coin, 1 Reale
The 1 real silver shipwreck coin from the Potosi Mint weighs approximately 2.7 grams. These coins were minted in Potosi, Bolivia, a renowned silver mining region during the Spanish colonial era. They were often used in trade across the Spanish Empire, circulating widely in the Americas and beyond. This beautiful 1600s era coin is highly collectible and comes with a certificate of authenticity. This cool 1 Reale Cob was found at site #212 by Famous U-Boat hunter Darrell Miklos.
When these ships sank, they often took their precious cargo to the ocean floor. Over the centuries, many of these wrecks were discovered, and their sunken treasures were recovered by salvagers. Among the most sought-after items were the coins that constituted the currency of the Spanish Empire.
1/4 Reale:
The 1/4 reale coin, also known as a “four bits” or “quartilla,” was a small denomination of Spanish colonial currency.
These tiny coins typically weighed around 0.8 grams and measured about 14 millimeters in diameter.
Due to their low intrinsic value, they were often lost or discarded, making them relatively rare finds today.
The design of 1/4 reale coins typically featured the Spanish coat of arms on one side and a cross on the other.
1/2 Reale:
The 1/2 reale coin, commonly known as a “half real” or “medio real,” was another small denomination shipwreck silver coin widely circulated during the colonial period.
These coins weighed approximately 1.6 grams and measured around 15 millimeters in diameter.
Like the 1/4 reale, 1/2 reale coins were used for small transactions in daily commerce.
They were often cut into smaller pieces, known as “cut pieces of eight,” to make change for smaller purchases.
The design of 1/2 reale coins typically featured the Spanish coat of arms on one side and a numeral indicating the denomination on the other.
1 Reale:
The 1 reale coin, also called a “real” or “piece of eight,” was one of the most widely circulated coins in the Spanish colonial monetary system.
Weighing approximately 3.4 grams and measuring about 20 millimeters in diameter, these coins were of moderate size and value.
The term “piece of eight” refers to the practice of dividing larger denomination coins, such as the 8 reale, into smaller pieces for smaller transactions.
2 Reale:
The 2 reale coin, also known as a “two-real” or “dos reales,” was a common denomination in the Spanish colonial monetary system. These coins weighed approximately 6.8 grams and measured around 25 millimeters in diameter. 2 reale coins were valued higher than smaller denominations like the 1/4 and 1/2 reale but lower than the 4 and 8 reale coins. They were used for various transactions, from everyday purchases to larger trade dealings. The design of 2 reale coins typically featured the Spanish coat of arms on one side and a cross on the other, similar to other denominations in the colonial currency system. Including the 2 reale denomination provides a more comprehensive understanding of the range of coins commonly found among shipwreck treasures, highlighting their significance in both local and international commerce during the colonial period.
4 Reale:
The 4 Reale Shipwreck Silver coin, known as a “four-real” or “four bits,” was a medium-sized denomination in the Spanish colonial monetary system.
These coins weighed around 13.5 grams and measured approximately 29 millimeters in diameter.
4 reale coins were valued higher than smaller denominations and were commonly used for larger transactions in both domestic and international trade.
The design of 4 reale coins usually featured the Spanish coat of arms on one side and a cross on the other, though variations existed.
8 Reale:
The 8 reale coin, often referred to as a “piece of eight” or “Spanish dollar,” was the cornerstone of the Spanish colonial monetary system.
Weighing approximately 27 grams and measuring about 38 millimeters in diameter, these large silver coins were highly valued.
8 reale coins were widely accepted and circulated not only in Spanish territories but also in trade networks around the world.
The design of 8 reale coins typically featured the Spanish coat of arms on one side and the Pillars of Hercules on the other, with the denomination expressed as “8R.” Recovered from the depths of the ocean, these coins serve as tangible artifacts connecting us to the past and the global networks of trade and commerce that once spanned the seas.
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