
Shipwrecks and the types of coins they have in 450 words
Surprise! Back already! Here is some stuff I gathered on shipwrecks (One from each major era) and what types of coins they had (Not as much detail on coins but on how they were lost and what types of coins they found on them) from Ancient Greece to the SS Central America. Here we go.
Antikythera was one of the first major shipwrecks of the Classical age, lost off the shore of Crete and known as the "Titanic of its era" because of what it contained. It had a bronze statue, a mechanism that is another story, and thousands and thousands of Greek and Eastern Mediterranian bronze coins stored in pots from the Eastern Mediterranean. The items were thought to be looted, and the ship was sunk transporting valuable items taken from that kingdom, most likely Greece, as it was a Roman ship. Lost in that wreck were 45 people and many historical artifacts. For the Medieval era, one of the "shipwrecks" with many coins was a Viking trade ship actually found underground near a burial mound, containing medieval Viking silver coins, looted gold (I think British. A lot of trouble between those two) and many interesting information on the Nordic culture, like that they traded with others and were not completely barbaric. "Lost" with that ship were two people (In the burial mound) and unknown value in coins and artifacts. For the Renaissance and discovery of the New World, the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha is considered "The most valuable shipwreck of its era". It was heavily laden with Lima-style doubloons, native gold, pieces of eight, and various other Spanish coins and native treasures from the Inca and Muisca. Equipped with cannons, it set off with its fleet, but cannons could not stop it from being sunk by a hurricane in 1622 losing 100 lives and 400 Million Dollars in gold and silver coins and artifacts. Now for the industrial shipwreck. One of my favorites (If you can even have a favorite shipwreck. Shame so many died on these :( :( /), the USS Central America. The ship was carrying passengers and American money from Havana to New York City. It contained 1857 Saint-Gaudens double eagles, solid gold ingots, CC Morgans, and many other gold and silver American coins. It was sunk by a hurricane, losing 100 Million dollars worth of coins and many lives. Some were saved by the ship Marine, but 442 could not get off in time.
That is about it, hope you have a wonderful New Year and good bye! :) :) :)
Bibliography:Look up keywords on google: Antikythera, Viking ship Norway, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, USS Central AmericaPage 33 of the 71st edition Red Book
Comments
CentSearcher
Level 5
Very interesting topic. Thanks for sharing!
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
I guess I assumed that older cultures would have coinage in the ruined ships, but I never thought anyone had found them. Thanks, the SS central America is definitely the one most familiar to Numismatists.
Mokie
Level 6
Shipwreck coins are among my favorites. One of my best coins came from the sunken treasure of the S.S. Republic. Thanks for your interesting blog.
Kepi
Level 6
Fascinating stuff! I love all those shipwreck artifacts. ; )
Longstrider
Level 6
I love shipwreck coins and artifacts. Nicely done blog. I have a 1853 O Seated Liberty Half buck from the SS Republic. Thanks..
Coinyoshi
Level 3
Cool! The SS Republic was my second choice for the "Industrial Era" shipwreck
Stumpy
Level 5
Like you, I find shipwrecks with coins and artifacts fascinating, well done, I enjoyed it. Later!
Mike
Level 7
Thanks for the information . Ireland was raided by the Vikings. Before that they found mounds called pyramids some a thousand years before the ones in Egypt thanks for a great blog enjoyed it.
I. R. Bama
Level 5
Interesting! So many of them with their ill gotten gains met a bad end...... Karma??
TheNumisMaster
Level 5
Love that! I have been fascinated by shipwrecks for a while now. I have my eye on an NGC shipwreck attributed piece. Maybe soon.... Cheers, NM
"SUN"
Level 5
It is great you read about numismatics, and share your knowlege.
Golfer
Level 5
Amazing how many ships have been lost at sea over the years. The amount of gold , silver, and valuable objects list in the oceans is incredible. Nice shipwreck blog.
Coinyoshi
Level 3
I wanted to keep it short but I would have added more.
CoinHunter
Level 5
Thanks for the blog!
Coinyoshi
Level 3
New type of 450 words post. Trying to get a variety of content