VOC shipwreck info needed...

[Southern_Digger]

I have a pillar dollar I added to my collection about six years ago. It is supposedly from the Rooswijk, which sank off the English coast. I googled and notice some are being sold via ebay. First, has anything been published (hardcopy) about the history and salvage of this shipwreck. I am curious at what depth the wreck was ? and when discovered? Also, is there a high concern regarding the possibility of counterfeit pillars being sold on the web which may assimilate the actual coins from the wreck?

Here is my PD:

 

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[VOC]

The Rooswijk was located by a local diver who dived the wreck many times before the sands shifted exposing chests of silver ingots and coins.

He went about it properly contacting the UK Receiver of Wrecks who put him in contact with the Dutch Government who own the wreck after the demise of the VOC.

The Dutch had a long standing agreement with Rex Cowen, who put together a professional recovery team of divers working under the supervision of a experienced marine archaeologist to cary out a rescue archaeology project financed by goodwill and donation and by a percentage split of the silver (after recording) with all the other artefacts going to Dutch Museums.

The silver was recovered and the split was made with a Dutch frigate and government minister going to Plymouth UK to pick up the Dutch share.

English Heritage who only learnt of the operation after the operation, then placed a Protection Order on the wreck preventing any further excavation even though the Dutch Government as owners would like to continue with the excavation as it is probably the most complete assemblage of VOC artefacts from any VOC wreck anywhere in the world.

Water depths are generally less that 75 feet.

Further info can be found by downloading the two pdf's (righthand side) on this web site: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/map/rooswijk/

With regards to the coins many got sold legally at auction in the states, that can also now be found for resale on eBay and at specialist dealers, but make sure you get a valid certificate of authenticity and ask what auction it was purchased at, as as far as I know they were not sold for disposal privately in the states ( but I could be wrong).

In the Uk I can vouch for the eBay seller under the name of Awerty ( search under "shipwreck") for shipwreck coins, as he has a long association (no pun intended for the ones that get it) with the business and I have bought from him in the Isles of Scilly over the years and as he is a friend of Rex Cowen has sold many Rooswijk coins over the years.

VOC

 

[Mackaydon]

The real (no pun intended) coin would weigh just over 27 grams, be 40mm in diameter and be composed of .916 fine silver.
Don...

 

[Southern_Digger]

Thank You for both informative replies. I do have a certificate. The wife bought the coin for me at a Treasure Expo and frankly, I think she paid too much for it. However, I have a good wife and I did not state this to her. The Certificate has printed signatures of Bryson and Ralph. I look forward to reading more about this wreck and its salvage.

 

[Magoopeter]

Rooswijk 2005

Thank You for both informative replies. I do have a certificate. The wife bought the coin for me at a Treasure Expo and frankly, I think she paid too much for it. However, I have a good wife and I did not state this to her. The Certificate has printed signatures of Bryson and Ralph. I look forward to reading more about this wreck and its salvage.

Old Post, I Know. Your coins are 100% genuine, I was a diver and supervisor on the Rooswijk in 2005, Bryson and Ralph were part of the team that excavated the coins.

Rooswijk site 2016


Ken Welling showing me site plan before first dive

 

[Old Bookaroo]

VOC:

Well played. Your post is an excellent example of TN at its best! Somebody came here seeking information and they got a polite, friendly, detailed, and accurate response!

Nicely done.

Good luck to all,

The Old Bookaroo, CM

 

[Magoopeter]

 

[ARC]

Pete,

Excellent vid... Well Done.

 

[Mackaydon]

Pete:

Don......

 

[agflit]

VOC:

Well played. Your post is an excellent example of TN at its best! Somebody came here seeking information and they got a polite, friendly, detailed, and accurate response!

Nicely done.

Good luck to all,

The Old Bookaroo, CM

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X'S 2

ag

 

[xaos]

Southern Digger,

The first episode of the series 'Drain The Oceans' on National Geographic literally dives into the remains of the Dutch VOC ship the Rooswijk. The ship sank in 1740 in the English Channel off the coast of England. Amongst the finds from the wreck are a large amount of silver coins.

As an owner of an artefact, you may find this interesting...