Please Note: This is an authentic Spanish Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.
"Pieces of Eight!" No phrase in the English language can conjure more vivid dreams of chests overflowing with buried pirate treasures to satiate desire! And now, the most legendary coin ever minted comes out of our vaults…
We are proud to present our Pirate Chic Collection of pierced Spanish Pieces of Eight - the legendary pirate coins!
WE DID NOT PUT HOLES IN THESE COINS! Long ago they were pierced, sometimes to be strung together for safety from loss or pickpockets, but, more often, to be worn on bags, clothing or as jewelry, as this high-grade silver was a sign of status and distinction. Now, we have added a sterling bail so they are again be wearable pieces of history and art fit for the pirate king or queen in all of us!
For hundreds of years, small silver “Pieces of Eight” have been found in the banks and shallow waters of the Rimac River in the historic district of Lima, Peru… not too far from the colonial Santa Rosa church. Perhaps thrown from the nearby bridge, what is known is that for over a century, courting couples would toss silver coins into the river with a wish for a happy, prosperous marriage. Sailors too, were said to make an offering of a Piece of Eight for safe passage on their next voyage. Our neighbor, a native of Lima, says that the once muddy banks of the river would have been the perfect place for the small silver Reales to become quickly buried. Discovered decades ago, our Rimac River treasures continue their journey – bringing their wish for luck and prosperity to a new generation.
Our Rimac River treasures have been professionally conserved and curated by Robert, and are ready to became a fascinating piece of history you can wear for a lifetime.
Robert Notes: With the texture that tells its story, this Rimac River Cob as a sweet little piece with cross and king's monogram.
Sometimes called “America’s First Silver Dollar” because they were in daily use, and were legal tender in the United States, until 1857... right before the U.S. Civil War. Pieces of 8 - both the large 8 Reales, and the smaller denominations of 4, 2, 1, and 1/2 - were minted by the mighty Spanish empire from New World silver – and traded (and pirated) the world over. These silver coins are the famous coins of pirate lore!
Of all the Spanish “Pieces of Eight,” or, more formally, Eight Reales, none is as famous as the crudely shaped “cob” coin of pirate lore! New World mints produced these irregular shaped, hand-hammered coins nicknamed “cobs” from the Spanish phrase, “cabo de barra” (end of the bar). These coins were produced by pouring a strip of silver and pounding it flat, then cutting chunks of metal that weighed approximately the proper gram weight for the denomination they were minting. This chunk, or planchet (the term for a metal coin blank before striking) was then placed between two dies and struck with a hammer. The assayer then trimmed the excess silver off until the coin weighed the proper amount. The fineness averaged .931 silver. You see, the Spanish king wasn’t worried about the shape of the coins, just their weight and fineness… this way he knew just how much tax to collect!
Perhaps you wonder, like we do, who pierced, wore and then stashed or lost these valuable coins… and why did they never return to retrieve them? What amazing stories could these coins tell if they could only speak?
Learn how to read your Piece of Eight here>>>
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
