El Cazador Shipwreck - 8 Reales - Dated 1757 - Mounted in Sterling Silver with Sapphire accent on bale

Denomination: 2  Reales Date: 1757 Reign: Carolus III Mint: Mexico Assayer: F.M. Weight: 6.80 gm Grade: 1 (One) Mount: Sterling Silver with sapphire accent on bale Description: Reverse: Crowned shield flanked by R 2. Legend reads -FRD*VI*D.G.HISP*ET IND*R Obverse: Crowned globe flanked by Crowned pillars with banner, date below - 1757. Legend reads VTRA QUE VNUM. 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.  There, she was loaded with silver Spanish coins, mostly 8 Reales, the largest coin by size and weight that Spai