Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.BlogSpot.com.
The 16th Sedwick Coins Treasure Auction is now online for viewing and bidding. Floor bidding will be on November 6. Lot viewing and guest speakers will be at the Doubletree Hotel in Lake Buena Vista in Orlando on November 5.
Just looking through the catalog is both interesting and educational.
The notice says, In this auction we present some of the most amazing numismatic treasures we have ever seen, befitting our second Live Floor sale in Orlando, Florida, and solidifying the event as an annual “must see” occasion for treasure buffs and serious numismatists alike, who will also surely enjoy our latest addition of educational talks by experts in the field during onsite lot viewing Wednesday, November 5. Our auctions continue to grow and improve; the pre-auction estimate for this one speaks volumes: $1.94 million in just 1124 lots! Quality and rarity speak for themselves.
As usual we start off with a barrage of gold cobs, including many 1715-Fleet specimens in all denominations from Mexico, Lima and Bogotá. Since the year 2015 marks the 300th anniversary of the 1715-Fleet disaster, we trust that interest in these gold cobs will be at an all-time high.
The World Gold Coins section is dominated by dozens of bust-type 8 escudos from the mints of Bogotá, Popayán, Lima, Potosí and Santiago, all emanating from a new hoard of ca. 1820 found in the Andes region of South America. A standout piece is the finest-known Brazil (Rio) 3200 reis of 1727 (lot 101).
In the ingots section we present a sizable collection of natural gold nuggets from the Dominican Republic, plus a beautifully marked silver bar (lot 212) from the Atocha (1622). The Shipwreck Silver Coins section following that contains the usual spectrum of coins from dozens of different wrecks.
The silver-cobs sections are where the biggest trophies begin. We are particularly honored to present the Mexican 8 reales of Charles-Joanna (assayer Rincón, struck 1538), one of three examples known of the first 8 reales of the New World (lot 404). Also from Mexico is the ultra-rare 8 reales Royal of Louis I, 1725D (lot 450). In Lima cobs we present a collection of 17 “Star of Lima” coins from the unauthorized issue of 1659-60. The Potosí Cobs section offers many dated shield-type minors, as well as the finest known Rincón ¼ real (lot 597). A smattering of Royals completes the picture, along with many cobs from Guatemala and Spain and the rare mints of Panama and Colombia.
Colombia is the feature in World Silver Coins, where we offer a top-quality Bogotá pillar 8 reales 1770VJ (lot 752) and a Bogotá pillar 1 real 1760JV (lot 753), both from the same hoard (with an outline of the hoard’s known history) and a pair of very rare bust 8 reales from the Popayán mint. There is also a very rare Popayán 1 peso of 1863 (lot 786). From the Mexican War of Independence we offer a unique denomination set of Durango 8-4-2-1-1/2 reales (lot 876).
Following World Silver Coins is an expanded Medals section that features a very important selection of military decorations from battles in Ecuador and Peru during Bolívar’s fight for Independence in South America. We have also expanded our Paper Money section this time, offering significant selections from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico.
The Artifacts sections present some fabulous treasures, like a gold and red-coral rosary from the 1715 Fleet (lot 1038), a Dutch bronze cannon from the 1733 Fleet (lot 1043), a gold reliquary locket from the 1733 Fleet (lot 1044) and a long gold “money” chain from a new 1740s wreck off Haiti (lot 1056).
I really like artifacts and it seems like there is a larger variety of artifacts in this auction. Those with the highest starting bids are the coral rosary and reliquary locket.
The artifact section ends up with an iron meteorite.
Here is the link for the viewing lots.
http://auction.sedwickcoins.com/auctionlist.aspx
Some thought that the wreck of the Santa Maria had been found off Haiti. Others disagree.
http://phys.org/news/2014-09-haiti-columbus-ship.html#inlRlv
It is thought, however that the site where Columbus departed from Spain has been identified.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2355320&CategoryId=12395
A site thought to be the first human habitation within the United States has been identified in Oregon.
http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-ancient-oregon-caves/2472274.html
Other than the surf getting a little higher, don't expect much in the way of changes on our Treasure Coast beaches for at least a few days.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net