Treasure hunting on the Atocha

[grannyd]

Hey everyone, this is my first post. Not even sure if I'm in the right area for this topic if not, feel free to tell me "where to go". I'm 44 years old and don't know anything about blogging and threads (unless I'm repairing holey clothes) I have acquired a pendant with what I believe is a silver coin circa 1600 from the shipwrecked Atocha. Does anyone out there know anything about how to tell if it's the real deal? A local jeweler got all excited about it but said he'd have to take the necklace apart to be 100% certain. He seemed to be certain of the fact that it came from the Atocha. Any help would be appreciated. Even if you don't know anything about it, reading about it online is very interesting.
Thanks a bunch

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW. i would get several opinions. it could or could not be valuable. i saved and old map of Portugal, from the dumpster. Valued at $1,500.00.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

Maybe contact the Mel Fisher Museum and see what they say about it.

 

[kend301]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

Go to www.Atocha.com and contact them

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

Welcome aboard grannyd.

Ya'll be nice ya hear?

She's my "significant other".

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

Welcome grannyd. I hope it's worth a lot for you.

 

[Capt Craig]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

There was a company at one point selling "authentic copies" of Atocha coins.

Be careful and I wouldn't let just anyone take apart, keep or "evaluate" your coin without you being there to watch!

 

[Adjuster]

Re: Treasure hunting on the Atocha

That looks to me like the standard 'piece of eight' necklace. They are available to any tourist that has ever visited an island like the Bahamas etc.

 

[grannyd]

Update on my Atocha treasure

Update on my Atocha treasure

Hello all and HAPPY SPRING

I finally got some info on my neat little treasure. A representative from Atocha.com replied with:

Your coin is real. It was minted in Mexico at the Mexico City Mint sometime between the early 1600's and the early 1700's. I can't tell from your photo what denomination the coin is. If you could send me the diameter of the coin and how much it weighs with the bezel, that would help. It is worth $300 to $500 not including the chain.

Sounds like it is an eight reale which would weigh about 26 grams troy. Using your figures, then the bezel would weigh something in the range of 7.6 grams, but probably more. The coin is a couple of hundred dollars. The bezel would cost a minimum of $225 to make. Wholesale would be in the $375 to $475 range roughly, with retail being double that roughly. This is all just an educated guestimate, but I am not to far off.

At least now I know a little something about it. Kinda cool to be able to hold something that old in the palm of your hand. I wonder what kinds of stories it could tell!!

Anybody out there rooting for the WV Moutanieers?
Tonight's the night!!!!! Go 'EERS!!!!!!!!!!1