El Cazador Shipwreck - 1 Reales - Mint Plus - Dated 1783 - Mounted in sterling silver with 14K prongs and bale

"The Shipwreck that changed the World" Denomination: 1 Reales Date: 1783 Reign: Carolus III Mint: Mexico Assayer: F.F. Weight: 3.1 gm  Grade: Mint Plus Description: Spanish Cob from the wreck of the El Cazador.  Obverse: Legend (Carolus III – DEI GRATIA). Translation: “By the grace of god”. Bust of Carolus III facing left. Reverse: Shield between two Pillars (Pillars of Hercules). Legend: (HISPAN ET IND REX). Translation: “By the Grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies”. History: Sometimes called "The Shipwreck That Changed the World," the story of the ill-fated El Cazador really speaks volumes about early American History. In the 1770's, the Spanish controlled Louisiana Territory's economy was failing, and was heavily reliant on the arrival of Mexico-minted Spanish coins to help boost the economy. Charles III of Spain ordered Captain Gabriel de Campos y Pineda to sail the Spanish brig of war, El Cazador (The Hunter), to Veracruz, New Spain (present day Mexico), on October 20, 1783.