Last Updated on March 29, 2022
Atocha coins may appear to be worthless pieces of metal to someone who is unfamiliar with antiques, but they are quite valuable relics comparable to a handful of others.
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How can you tell if an Atocha coin is real?
Atocha coins were originally weighed in reales, each of which was divided into onzas, which equaled 28 grams. The following denominations were created: 8 reales, 4 reales, 2 reales, 1 real, ½ real, and ¼ real. Each was intended to be half the weight of the preceding denomination.
Both gold coins and platinum coins were marked in escudos, which was equivalent to two 8 reale pieces. The gold coin denominations were as follows: 8 escudos, 4 escudos, 2 escudos, and 1 escudo.
While these measurements may be useful in identifying genuine Atocha coins, it’s worth noting that saltwater influenced the weight of the currency. The Mel Fisher organization offers a Certificate of Authenticity that can help identify a genuine Atocha coin.
What is a coin from the Atocha worth?
Atocha gold coin is worth roughly $98,000, and it is the 121st Atocha treasure discovered at the site of the sunken ship. Moore joined Mel Fisher’s Treasures salvage vessel J.B. Magruder, captained by Tim Meade, as a crew member. The J.B Magruder’s crew has been digging at the site of the shipwreck in the Florida Keys.
How many Atocha coins are there?
Only 128 gold Atocha coins have been found to date, with just one being discovered in the United States. The gold Atocha coins were produced in Spain because no gold money was created in the New World in 1622. The wealthy passengers would have carried around silver Atocha coins in their pockets and belongings.
How much is a piece of eight from the Atocha?
In the 1600s, an 8 reales silver Atocha coin was worth about a month’s pay for a sailor. The denominational sizes of the Atocha coins were derived from the “Onza” or avoirdupois ounce, which equaled 28 grams.
How long did Mel Fisher look for the Atocha?
Sixteen and a half years.
Mel Fisher, Finley Ricard, and a team of sub-contractors financed by investors and others in a joint venture, Treasure Salvors, Inc., have been searching the sea bed for Nuestra Señora de Atocha since 1969.
Who discovered the Atocha?
Mel Fisher discovered Atocha.
Key West, Florida, U.S. He was born in Indiana and is best remembered as the founder of Mel Fisher’s Treasure Hunt, which specialized in locating shipwrecks off the coast of California (August 21, 1922 – December 19, 1998).
Is the Atocha still being salvaged?
The Atocha was Fisher’s most famous find, but his firm is currently in the process of salvaging three additional ships – the Santa Margarita, which sank with the Atocha, and another ship that was believed lost in the same storm, as well as a wreck off the east coast of Florida known as “Lost Merchant.”
How much gold was found on the Atocha?
After 16 years of looking for the fortune amassed by the Spanish galleon, Mel Fisher and his team struck gold — and silver, emeralds, and other riches — on July 20, 1985. The Atocha’s treasure was discovered by Fisher’s divers known as “the golden crew.” Today is the day!”
Atocha Coin Jewelry
Jewelers have turned to using Atocha coins, mementos of these coins, or Atocha coin replicas to make pendants, earrings, bangles, rings, and cuff links as a result of their historical significance.
The stones of these necklaces are set in a setting that can be either silver or gold, and they’re usually sold as is. Other times, they are covered in silver or gold to make them more valuable. The items are priced between $20 and $3000 depending on the design of the jewelry.
Atocha Coin Replicas
As a result of the majority of the coins recovered from the wreckage being damaged, Atocha coins are now produced using treasure chest silver. Dr. Eugene Lyon, the historian whose research assisted Mel Fisher in finding the treasure, provided his silver to the University of Florida’s History Department.
These coins, despite the fact that they were minted recently, are considered historically significant because the silver comes from the original shipment of the Atocha.
