Atocha estate sale find- words of wisdom??

JuannyChico

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Dec 13, 2018
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Finally found a good deal for an Atocha coin but the sale came with no paperwork. I’ve done some light reading and know it’s almost a lost cause in getting it officially recognized. No matter, I’m planning on wearing it for some time but I would love some self assurance. I know almost nothing about signs and signals towards authenticating this. I know casts of the coin are popular. Anything advice or signs that I can count on regarding this piece? It’s bought from an estate sale and weights 29 grams total, bevel 14k gold as listed. Don’t even know if that’s authentic.

Paid $450

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Upvote 9

Diggin-N-Dumps

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My grandfather has one that ended up getting stolen. That’s a great piece no matter what. You still might be able to find someone that could authenticate it. Either way, beautiful piece!
 

jewelerguy

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I would think that without a certificate, there is no way of knowing for certain that it came from the Atocha. Personally, I wouldn't take their word for it, and as such probably wouldn't offer more than 150 for it. But that's just me.
 

TheGreatNorth

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That holder for it is pretty custom from the looks of it. What metal is it? That would be alot of work to make a fake one... and for not that much $$. The coin appears to have the seawater corrosion... my gut is telling me you have a real one.
 

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apdp

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Looks typical of many Atocha coins I have seen. Many heavily corroded reale's came fro the wreck. I would say authenic and very like Atocha.
 

A2coins

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Amazing find cool relic
 

A2coins

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Welcome also from michigan
 

ecmjamsit

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Looks like has been laying beneath sea level for a few hundred years. I'd say it is a real Spanish coin. Don't wear it in Spain, they might try to take it from you.
 

Kantuckkeean

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I agree with TheGreatNorth. That bezel would take some work. It’s a long shot that the guys in the Shipwrecks forum would know more about, but you might contact the Mel Fisher store to see if they’d have a photo-catalog of all their pieces, or someone who could verify it.

Kindest regards,
Kantuck
 

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Beautiful piece, wear it with pride! :occasion14:
 

CRUSADER

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I would think that without a certificate, there is no way of knowing for certain that it came from the Atocha. Personally, I wouldn't take their word for it, and as such probably wouldn't offer more than 150 for it. But that's just me.
Agreed, over paid, even if real which I think it is but without knowing where it came from.
 

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Reanm8er

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Beautiful Piece, Often at estate sales any document that is not negotiable for some value is destroyed. Is there any chance of finding a survivor of the family/individual? Whoever owned this surely showed it off to somebody!

Best wishes!
 

RTR

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Diver_Down

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Dec 13, 2008
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It is not Atocha. 100% certainty. It is a genuine 8 R sea salvaged piece. I will give you more reasoning and explanation this afternoon. I want to wait for others to figure it out. It is easy for those that know what to look for.
 

Diver_Down

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Dec 13, 2008
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Why guess if you can tell us?

It would be nice if people wanted to learn. I only chimed in as it popped up in my sidebar. I never view/post in Today's Finds. Usually when they are moved to the Spanish Cobs section is when I offer my expertise. I'll withhold an explanation in case someone wants to make an educated guess.
 

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