SOLD Princess Louisa Shipwreck 2 Reales Pendant. Please Explore Our Spanish Shipwreck Pendants For Similar Items.

Item #5327
$1,650.00
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  • Spanish 2 Reales Dated 1732
  • Mint: Lima, Peru
  • Monarch: Philip V
  • Assayer: “N” Fernando Negron
  • Silver Coin Framed in 14k Gold Pendant, Weight 7.8g
  • Framed Coin Size: 25.5mm Diameter, with 6mm Bail Opening for Necklace
  • Size Chart with mm to inches Conversions

Description:

This is a genuine Spanish silver coin salvaged from the treasure ship, the Princess Louisa. This British East India Company merchant ship was named after the youngest daughter of King George II. With two decks and three masts, it was one of the largest ships in the English fleet, built for graceful speed. In March 1743, Captain John Pinson and a crew of 114 set out on a 4th voyage from Portsmouth, England to Bombay and Persia, for trade of silk and spices in the Far East. As part of her cargo, she carried 20 chests of Spanish and Colonial Spanish coins, totaling 69,760 ounces of silver.
On April 18th 1743, the Princess Louisa stuck a reef off the Isle of May in the Cape Verde Islands. As the ship was held upon the reef, large breakers crashed over her. The crew had no choice but to abandon ship and 41 men, including Captain Pinson, survived by swimming to shore. However, as the Princess Louisa finally broke apart and sank, 74 crewmen perished. Captain Pinson and his surviving officers were later found not guilty of negligence because of unknown currents and inaccurate charts.
An effort to salvage the shipwreck in 1744 was unsuccessful, as were numerous later attempts. Her treasure lie undiscovered and mostly forgotten for over 250 years. Finally, in 1998-1999, a salvage expedition by the Portuguese marine archaeology recovery company, Arqueonautas, located and recovered the historical treasure and artifacts.