Pieces of eight

[SEAHUNTER]

Here are some pictures of coins found in 2006

[stevemc]

Nice! They really were corroded.

[stevemc]

The second one I think, you can really see the date clearly, 1658. Almost 350 years old and still looking good! What year did it sink? I would assume they were freshly minted.

[SEAHUNTER]

Hello Steve
You are correct, they were very corroded and the ship sank in 1659.
Seahunter

[karib2517]

yep keep up the good work,very nice

[Peg Leg]

I have noticed that great number of silver coins were hammered several times and yet few gold coins were.
I have also noticed that many of the coins were not hammered with the top and bottom dies being used at the same time. The top was stamped and then the bottom was stamped at seperate times. This tells me that there is a very good chance that 2 seperate people were involved in the stamping. Further research also show that many coins were stamped by the assayer after the coin was was hammered. This is apperant when you compare the position of the cross and the shield. BUT on Gold coins they appear to have been stamped/hammered both sides at he same time.
Sometimes they also they used the same dies on gold and silver coins
I know that once again I have placed this in the wrong section mybe I should have placed this response under COINS.
Scott, I love the coins.
Peg Leg

[SEAHUNTER]

Hi Pegleg
Interesting observations. Maybe the gold being softer was easier to stamp.
Seahunter

[Snee]

Very nice!

[ran-man]

wat to go

[stevemc]

Seahunter have you tried muratic acid? The coins look really pitted, I havent seen many that finely pitted. It kind of looks like they were reverse electrolysised with too much current. Did you clean them that way and if so, how much current and voltage? We used muratic acid and final cleaning with a nylon brush and dish soap, and never had a bad one and they were real nice and shiny. Most from the 1715, but some from other areas. I know when Treasure Salvors Inc. found the Atocha motherload they really ruined all the cobs, since they had millions of them to clean. They tumbled them with needle bearings, and really pitted them, and basicaly ruined most of them. Steve.

[SEAHUNTER]

Hi Steve
Our site is a little different and older than most sites. Some of our coins come right off the bottom as thin as a razor. But I agree with you that muriatic is very helpful, it just won't turn a razor into a royal, wouldn't that be sweet. Some of it is in the photography or the lighting, if you are ever over on the east coast I would be glad to show you the coins and preservation process we use. We use very little electricity and platinum instead of stainless. Soda ash instead of baking soda.
Seahunter

[stevemc]

Seahunter try this. Instead of using soda ash, which is very caustic, never use baking soda its corrosive like salt, but instead try washing soda which is sodium carbonate. If you cant find it, make it. Take a box of baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, and bake it on a cookie sheet in your oven for at least an hour at 350 degrees. Then just let it cool in the oven. It will be a different compound, and it will work better than sodium hydroxide, and less caustic and dangerous. Also use a power supply that you can adjust, I use the little radio shack multi voltage for less than 10 bucks, and set it where the bubbles are just barely coming off. Rinse well in pure water, distilled bottled water, then dry. I would liketo see your coins some day. I was just over there, but real busy. Steve.

[T Hunter]

Hi Seahunter----I've been busy prospecting while the weather is nice. I have used the Muratic acid and polish technique and my coins have come out very nice. Labor intensive but each coin gets the attention it deserves. Take care
Ole Grubstake

Hey Ole Grubstake i read your article in lost treasure mag nice job keep them coming . Thanks Mark

[SEAHUNTER]

Hello Ole Grubstake
What is the title of your article and what issue is it in?
Seahunter

[SEAHUNTER]

Hello ole.Grubstake
Read your article in the March 07 Lost Treasure entitled " Nine dives for Gold ". Excellent article !!! Great finds !!! Loved the pictures.
Seahunter

[Leebo in SC]

Hello Seahunter, nice coins. I hope to be open water certified by the end of spring. Would love to come down and dive with you.

Lee

[Dimeman]

Great coins !!!! Nice indeed.

[SEAHUNTER]

And here are some coins found in 2007

[carolus2]

Nice Steve, if you cleane them they will come up nicer, see more cobss at our web page :

robcar.net

you have a Piece of eight, 1658 asseyer Erqueta (E) Potosi Bolivia the Peru, very good cond.


Piratillo

Here are some pictures of coins found in 2006