The Classic Silver 8 Reale "Piece of Eight" from the Shipwreck El Cazadornow in our exclusive Tortuga Collection Sterling Silver Hand-Hammered Pendant

Please Note: This is an authentic El Cazador Shipwreck Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.

From the personal collection of our old friend, El Cazador's Salvage Master, Craig Boyd - A Cannon Beach Treasure Exclusive. 

This pendant is part of our Tortuga Collection featuring our exclusive hand-hammered sterling silver settings. Each is unique, like the treasure coins they surround. Please see below for more details.

Take a trip back in time... for over 300 years the Spanish ruled most of the Americas. Wars raged across Western Europe, in part due to the struggle to own and keep the New World.  Enter El Cazador, a Spanish Brig of War loaded with a silver treasure destined to relieve the failing economy of Spanish held New Orleans. The silver "Pieces of 8" she carried are often called America's first silver dollars.

Your El Cazador Shipwreck Treasure Coin

• Date: 1783
• Denomination: 8 Reale Portrait style
• Mint: Mexico City, Nueva Espana (New Spain, present day Mexico)
• Ruler: Charles III of Spain
• Coin Metal: Silver
• Bezel Metal: Proprietary Non-Tarnishing Sterling Silver
• Obverse (Front): Portrait of Charles III
• Reverse: (Back): The shield of Spain featuring the Lions (Leon) and Castles (Castile) and Pillars of Hercules 
• Articulating Maritime Shackle Bail Interior Diameter: Will accommodate chain or leather necklace up to LARGE 8.5mm
• Pendant Size including bezel:  1 5/8" Across, 2" Tall  - the size of a U.S. Silver Dollar

Note from Robert: This El Cazador 8 Reale has mellow sea wear, but excellent detail on both sides, and great date and PLVS VLTRA on the Pillars side. This coin was removed from close to the outer edge of the remains of a treasure chest, that's why it is in such good condition.   

The true silver dollar of the day - a real "statement piece" pendant. Us treasure hunters affectionately call these "Key West Dog Tags." 

El Cazador set sail on January 11, 1784, and was never heard from again. Historians speculate that had El Cazador reached her destination, Spain may never have transferred ownership of New Orleans and the surrounding territory back to France in 1801 - a transfer that paved the way for the United States acquisition of the Louisiana territory in 1803. 200 years after El Cazador’s sinking, a butter-fish trawler, Mistake, snagged her nets 50 miles south of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. The crew held their breath as they raised what were sure to be damaged nets. Mysterious black clumps were all they found. While some crew members kicked them into the water, the cry of "COINS! COINS!" rang out. El Cazador, and her treasure, was found at last. Our old treasure salvor friend, Craig Boyd conducted the "delicate and dangerous" (as he describes it) process of bringing El Cazador's cargo to the surface in 2002.

Learn all about the Shipwreck That Changed History, El Cazador, here>

The Tortuga Collection - Genuine Pieces of Eight Set in Hand-Forged Sterling Silver

Each Tortuga Collection masterpiece is born of fire, silver, hammer and anvil...

With settings hand-Forged from solid sterling silver, and hammered to perfection, each piece of Tortuga Collection jewelry is as unique as the authentic Spanish Reale... the "Piece of Eight" it highlights. Each setting is hand-crafted using the same techniques and hand tools used by the minters of the coins themselves. Because only historic techniques, hand tools and pure sterling silver are used, each Tortuga Collection setting is completely unique - an heirloom piece of artisan jewelry that can be worn every day.

To see our complete collection of Spanish "Piece of Eight" treasure coins, click here>

Your El Cazador Shipwreck Piece of Eight Pendant Comes Complete with:

1. Our 100% Authentic Lifetime Guarantee
2. A Detailed, Multi-Page Certificate of Authenticity Researched and Written by Robert Lewis Knecht and signed by Craig Boyd. Our Exclusive Certificate includes the history of why France lost New Orleans to Spain, and how France got it back, only for Napoleon to sell it to the United States.
3. 8 Page Full Color Mexico City Mint Historic Brief by Robert
4. "Pieces of Eight" Historic Brief
5. The Coins of the Lost Galleons Book
6. Treasure Hunters Gazette Booklet
7. Mini Museum Display for when you are not wearing your treasure
8. A Treasure Jewelry Care Card