1654 Potosí 8 Reales Cob – Unknown Wreck (Likely 1654 La Capitana)
Attributed to La Capitana · 1654
- Denomination
- 8 Reales / Piece of Eight
- Date
- 1654
- Mint
- Potosí
- Reign
- Philip IV of Spain
- Composition
- Silver
- Type
- Hand-struck Spanish colonial cob
- Provenance
- Attributed to the 1654 La Capitana shipwreck
- Documentation
- No original shipwreck COA or salvage documentation accompanies this coin
- Availability
- Single individual coin — one available
$1050
- Authenticity Guaranteed
- Documented Provenance
- Collector Selected
Lot BFA-014
An impressive 1654 Potosí 8 Reales silver cob, attributed to the legendary La Capitana shipwreck, which was lost off the coast of Ecuador in 1654.
This coin was acquired and represented to us as originating from the Jesús María de la Limpia Concepción, commonly known as La Capitana. Its date, type, appearance, and characteristics are consistent with coins associated with the wreck. However, this particular coin was acquired without its original salvage documentation or shipwreck certificate. For that reason, its wreck provenance cannot be independently verified and the coin is being sold as attributed to La Capitana rather than as a documented shipwreck specimen.
La Capitana served as the flagship of Spain's South Sea Armada and carried a tremendous cargo of colonial silver before being lost near the Ecuadorian coast in 1654.
The coin itself is a genuine Potosí 8 Reales cob, better known as the famous Spanish “Piece of Eight.” Each of these coins was individually cut and struck by hand, creating the irregular shape and unique strike that make Spanish cobs so recognizable today.
Provenance Disclaimer
The La Capitana attribution is based upon the provenance information provided when the coin was acquired and characteristics consistent with the attributed wreck. In the absence of original salvage documentation, Black Flag Antiquities does not guarantee the La Capitana shipwreck provenance as independently verified.
- 01
Acquired and represented as originating from the Jesús María de la Limpia Concepción (La Capitana), lost off the coast of Ecuador in 1654.
- 02
No original shipwreck certificate or salvage documentation accompanies the coin; the wreck association is attributed, not independently verified.
- 01
Guaranteed authentic as a period hand-struck Spanish colonial silver cob of the date and mint stated.
- 02
Shipwreck provenance is offered as attributed only and is expressly not guaranteed.
