El Cazador Shipwreck - 8 Reales - Dated 1783

Denomination: 8 Reales                                                                                                Date: 1783 Reign: Carolus III                                                                                                Mint: Mexico Assayer: F.F. Weight: 23.64 gm Grade: Fine Plus Mount: Sterling with 14K prongs  Description: Reverse: Crowned shield of Spain in between Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar). Obverse: Pillars of Hercules. Bears a traditional bust of the King. 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 O