05/09/2025
On September 20th 1641 the Spanish treasure fleet set sail for Spain. Departing from Cuba, each ship was loaded to the gills with silver and gold from the new world. The voyage was in the direct path of hurricane season. The captain ship Concepcion, was over loaded and under powered for those fateful waves. The fleet was bombarded with a full force hurricane. The ships were scattered and by day break the Concepcion was in shambles. Her crew scrambling to keep her a float. After a few weeks under make shift sails, the once proud ship ran aground on October 31st 1641. Rumors of vast treasures spread across the American colonies. In 1687 soon to be Massachusetts governor discovered and salvaged part of the treasure. It wasn’t until 1978 when her remains were found once again.
Here we have an extraordinary 1640 Mexico 8 Reales “Piece of eight” recovered from that very ship. What sets this example apart from the many others salvaged, it suffers no apparent saltwater damage. After spending a few centuries below the ocean waves silver corrodes, leaving extensive pitted surfaces. This coin is pedigreed to one of the prestigious treasure collectors.
1640 MO P Mexico 8 Reales NGC VF35 (25.58g)
Concepcion Shipwreck Certification
ex. Rudman Collection
