Durham Treasure Coins
Princess Louisa Spanish Colonial 4 Reales

Owner Comments:

This is a Spanish Colonial 4 Reales that was recovered from the Princess Louisa. This was an English ship that was used by the East India Company. It met her fate on a 4th voyage on the way to Bombay. While in route with the Winchester (another English ship), a reef caught her hull off the Cape Verde Islands of Africa. 74 of the 115 crew perished with 41 making it to shore using floating debris. An attempt was made to salvage the 20 chests of nearly 70,000 ounces of Spanish coins but that failed. 225 years went by until more modern salvage operations were successful. This group of coins were some of the best examples set aside by the original ship salvors that were eventually marketed with the help of NGC. Very neat history and not a common shipwreck coin you can find very easily on the open market.