Davy Jones Locker
“Panama hoard,” lost ca. 1629

Owner Comments:

Bolivia 8 Reales 8R 1629P T... attributed to :
“Panama hoard,” lost ca. 1629 on the Camino Real trail in Panama.

In the early 1990s the numismatic market began to hear about a massive find (tens of thousands) of early Potosí cobs (practically all 8 and 4 reales) in fabulous condition—in fact, totally uncorroded but with telltale orange clay on what were otherwise Mint State (or nearly so) surfaces. Soon this hoard took on many different names as the stories emerged: “Camino Real Trail hoard,” “Panama hoard,” and, curiously, “Mule Train hoard” (based on a rumor that the hoard was lost when a mule that was carrying the treasure fell over a cliff). The only thing that we know for certain is that the latest date on the coins in the hoard was 1629, which is when we presume it was lost.