Authentic Silver Half Reale from El Cazador Shipwreck in Sterling Silver
| Coin Number: | EC-27168 |
| Denomination: | 1/2 Reale |
| Mint: | Mexico |
| Reign: | Carolus III |
| Mint Master | F. M. |
| Coin Date: | 1777 |
| Grade: | Fine |
Approx. 1.25” long (including the bail), 0.75” wide
On October 20, 1783, Carolus III, the Bourbon King of Spain, dispatched his “Brig of War,” the El Cazador, to Vera Cruz, Mexico where she would be loaded with nearly 450,000 Silver pesos (almost 14 tons) and return to New Orleans. On January 11, 1784, El Cazador sailed for New Orleans and vessel, crew and fortune disappeared into the winter sea, sinking without a trace. It was discovered many years later that they made it within 50 miles of its destination when it was lost in 300 feet of water.
“The Shipwreck that leads to the Louisiana Purchase”
The loss of the El Cazador was a significant moment in the history of the United States.