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Auction: 26005 - British and World Coins and Medals: The Martin J Waldron Collection of English Coins
Lot: 688

NGC MS62 | The Spanish Wreck of "Concepción" Recovered, AR Medal, 1687, by G. Bower, • IACOBVS • II • ET • MARIA • D • G • MAG • BRI • FRAN • ET • HIB • REX • ET • REGINA •, laureate and draped conjoined busts right, rev. • SEMPER TIBI PENDEAT HAMUS •, ship at sea from which men in rowing boats search for treasure from the wreck, NAVFRAGA REPERTA 1687 in exergue in two lines, 55mm, 66.32g (Eimer 285; MI 619/33), some chasing to edges and light hairlines to obverse otherwise with a rich and flashy dark cabinet tone, about extremely fine, reverse better, in NGC holder, graded Mint State 62 (Cert. #8536769-001)

Captain William Phips (1651-1695), who latterly became Governor of Massachusetts, had previously attempted to recover the treasure lost with the Spanish ship 'Nuestra Señora de la Limpia y Pura Concepción' off Hispaniola in the West Indies, when it was shipwrecked on 30 October 1641. His efforts were unsuccessful during the reign of King Charles II, and James II initially refused to assist in his renewed salvage attempts. However, Christopher, Duke of Albemarle and others advanced the necessary funds. It is believed that these medals, struck by Bower, were presented to the officers of the ship and to the promoters of the undertaking. Two ships returned to British shores laden with cargo, some of which would be ceded to the Crown. The defective planchets witnessed across the subsequent 1687-specie is the result of the more than 30 tonnes of silver bullion coin recovered. Further information on this extraordinary event is documented in Graham Birch's, "The Metal in Britain's Coins" (Spink, June 2020).




https://www.ngccoin.uk/certlookup/8536769-001/62/

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Estimate
£1,500 to £1,800

Starting price
£1200