El Cazador Shipwreck - 2 Reales - Dated 1752

Denomination: 2 Reales                                                                                                Date: 1752 Reign: Fernando VI                                                                                                 Mint: Mexico Assayer: M Weight: 5.4 gm Grade: Fine Plus  Mount: Custom Sterling Silver Octopus Description: Old style Pillar and Wave design. Reverse: Crowned shield of Spain in between Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar). Obverse: Pillars of Hercules.  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 Oc