Although typically overshadowed by different well-known shipwrecks, the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción is likely one of the most vital Spanish galleon discoveries of recent occasions. In 1641, this treasure-laden ship departed from Cuba solely to be overtaken by a robust hurricane, scattering its cargo throughout the Silver Shoals. This text delves into the wealthy historical past of the ship, with a give attention to Nuestra Señora de la Concepción shipwreck cash, together with:
- Intriguing historic information in regards to the Concepcion ship
- The exceptional Concepcion treasure uncovered among the many wreckage
- The most effective locations to purchase shipwreck cash on-line
For a deep dive into the Concepcion shipwreck, watch this fascinating video:
The Misplaced Treasure of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción: A Deep Dive
Information about the Concepcion ship
Usually in comparison with the Atocha shipwreck, the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción has an equally fascinating story. This part will reply the query “What occurred to Concepcion ship?”. And, as we delve deeper into information about this vessel, we may also clarify how its exceptional treasure, very similar to the shipwreck cash Atocha produced, supplies beneficial cultural and financial insights into its time.
Dimension and look of the Spanish ship Concepcion
The Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion ship was a considerable 600-ton nao, i.e. a three-masted ocean-going crusing ship, that underwent vital modifications to function a galleon. Initially inbuilt Havana in 1620 as a service provider vessel, it was later refitted in Spain with army and structural enhancements. These modifications reworked the service provider vessel right into a formidable armed galleon able to defending beneficial cargo.
Whereas actual dimensions aren’t offered in historic data, its 600-ton measurement and galleon configuration would have made it an imposing vessel, with the excessive fore and aft castles attribute of Spanish naval structure of the time.
La Concepcion ship route
As a part of the Spanish Treasure Fleet system, the Concepcion ship operated on the important commerce route between Spain and its New World territories. The ship would usually sail from Spain to Veracruz, Mexico, transporting European items and passengers, then return with treasured metals and different beneficial cargo.
The vessel’s ultimate journey started in Cadiz on April 24, 1641, as Capitana (flagship) of the New Spain Fleet. After reaching Veracruz, the ship remained there for a yr earlier than being ordered to return to Spain, this time as Almiranta (vice-flagship). The return route took it to Havana, the place it made a quick cease regardless of needing repairs. From there, the meant route was to hitch the fleet’s commonplace path throughout the Atlantic again to Spain, however deteriorating situations and poor repairs would forestall the ship from finishing this ultimate voyage.
Concepcion shipwreck 1641
After departing Havana in poor situation, the Concepción met with fierce climate that proved catastrophic. Large waves reached the peak of the strict gentle, forcing water by way of the ship’s portholes. The vessel’s integrity shortly deteriorated as the strict’s caulking started failing. The principle and fore masts snapped within the tempest, and the ship misplaced two anchors and three boats. A determined try and proceed utilizing jury-rigged sails failed when the ship struck a reef about 60 miles north of Hispaniola.
Within the ensuing chaos, one longboat carrying 32 high-ranking passengers and officers, together with Vice-Admiral Villavicencio, managed to flee. Others tried survival on eight makeshift rafts constructed from ship timbers. Of the 532 folks aboard, solely 194 survived. Twenty-five males remained with the treasure on the reef, however solely certainly one of these in the end survived the wreck of the Concepcion.
Concepcion shipwreck 1715
The 1641 Concepción wreck shouldn’t be confused with the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet catastrophe. This confusion typically arises as a result of each occasions concerned Spanish treasure ships and resulted in vital losses. The 1715 fleet was a separate incident the place a complete Spanish treasure fleet was misplaced in a hurricane off Florida’s east coast, whereas the 1641 Concepción was a single ship that went down off Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic). Each wrecks have attracted treasure-hunting expeditions, resulting in conflated histories, however analysis on “Concepcion shipwreck 1715” will yield no related outcomes.
Concepcion shipwreck location
The Concepción’s stays lie off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, close to Puerto Plata, the place it struck a reef on the Silver Financial institution. The wreck remained misplaced till William Phipps’ profitable salvage operation 45 years after sinking, when his staff recovered over 25 tons of silver.
The positioning was later sought by numerous explorers together with Korganoff in 1952, Ed Hyperlink in 1958, and Jacques Cousteau in 1968. The definitive trendy rediscovery got here in 1978 by Burt Webber and Jack Haskins of Seaquest Worldwide Inc., aided by Peter Earle’s discovery of the Henry sloop’s logbook from Phipps’ expedition.
The Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion shipwreck location consists of two distinct areas separated by 150 meters, recognized by way of aerial images of the north reef of the Silver Financial institution and underwater magnetometer surveys.
Essentially the most well-known Concepcion cash
Among the many most fascinating artifacts recovered from the Concepción wreck had been 1000’s of silver cash, providing a exceptional snapshot of Spanish colonial coinage from the early seventeenth century. The recovered numismatic treasure largely included reales relationship from 1600 to 1641, minted throughout the Spanish Empire’s key colonial services in Mexico, Cartagena, Santa Fé, and Potosí.
Notably, over three-quarters of the cash had been minted within the three years instantly previous the shipwreck (1639 -1641). The cash listed beneath present invaluable insights into the Spanish Empire’s financial system and colonial commerce networks throughout this pivotal interval.
- Felipe IV 8 Reales from the Concepcion wreck
Minted on the Mexico Mint, which was established in 1536 as the primary mint within the Americas, this 8 reales coin is a major artifact of Spanish colonial forex. Sometimes called a “items of eight”, these cash had been probably the most extensively circulated types of forex within the Americas and worldwide commerce, recognized for his or her constant weight and fineness. At present, they’re valued extremely as uncommon Mexican cash.
Underneath King Felipe IV’s reign, the cash’ design featured the Spanish coat of arms on the obverse and the Pillars of Hercules with the motto “PLUS ULTRA” on the reverse. The distinctive “M” with a small cross above it, often called the Macuquin, distinguished these cash from others minted elsewhere.
Felipe IV 8 Reales
12 months: 1634-1641
- Philip IV 4 Reales from the Concepción ship
A part of the treasure of the Concepcion, this Philip IV 4 reales coin highlights the minting high quality of the Mexico Mint throughout the seventeenth century. Whereas solely half as beneficial because the piece of eight, this smaller denomination performed an important position in on a regular basis transactions in New Spain. Thought-about beautiful cash each then and now, these items usually displayed clearer strikes than their South American counterparts because of the Mexico Metropolis Mint’s superior gear and extra skilled craftsmen.
Philip IV 4 Reales
- Metallic: Silver
- 12 months: 1622-1641
Photograph by Numista
- Cartagena Mint 4 Reales Coin from the wreck of the Concepcion
This 4 reales 1641 Concepcion shipwreck coin is especially uncommon, because the minting facility it was produced by solely started operations in 1621. The Cartagena Mint in Colombia was established to transform South American silver into coinage nearer to the supply. The Concepción cash embrace among the earliest recognized examples from this mint, making them traditionally vital. Underneath Philip IV, these cash had been struck throughout a interval when Cartagena served as an important Caribbean port for the Spanish treasure fleet system.
Philip IV 4 Reales
- Metallic: Silver
- 12 months: 1627 – 1630
- Philip III 2 Reales from the Concepcion shipwreck
The Potosí 2 reales discovered on the Concepcion treasure ship had been minted on the world’s most efficient silver mint, sitting excessive within the Andes Mountains. Through the 1630s, these cash had been produced underneath strict qc applied after the nice scandal of 1617-1619, when it was found that cash had been debased. Assayer Juan Ximénez de Tapia oversaw manufacturing throughout this era, marking his cash with a particular “T” assayer mark. These smaller denomination cash had been essential for regional commerce throughout the Viceroyalty of Peru and characterize the reformed minting practices of the post-scandal period.
Philip III 2 Reales
- Metallic: Silver
- 12 months: 1617-1621
Photograph by Numista
- Bolivian 8 Reales from the Nuestra señora de la Concepción shipwreck
This 8 reales coin recovered from the ship Concepcion is a testomony to the Potosí Mint’s position in producing high-quality silver cash throughout the seventeenth century. These cash had been minted utilizing silver from the legendary Cerro Rico mine, often called the “mountain that eats males” as a consequence of its harsh working situations. Throughout Philip IV’s reign, these massive silver cash confirmed improved high quality following the mint’s reform, that includes better-centered strikes and extra constant weight than earlier points.
Philip IV 8 Reales (Bolivia Mint)
Photograph by NGC
To see extra distinctive specimens, past Concepcion cash, click on right here.
The place to purchase uncommon cash
The story of the Concepción is a fascinating chapter within the historical past of Spanish colonial maritime commerce and exploration. The ship’s 1641 sinking off Hispaniola, whereas devastating, has left an unbelievable cultural legacy preserved within the 1000’s of cash and different artifacts recovered from the wreck website over the centuries. These numismatic treasures present unparalleled perception into the financial methods, commerce networks, and financial realities that powered Spain’s international empire throughout the reigns of Philip III and Philip IV.
These considering buying uncommon cash, together with specimens from shipwrecks, will discover that Blanchard is a superb alternative. Identified for its experience in numismatics and excellent customer support, Blanchard gives a curated number of genuine cash of the very best high quality. Blanchard’s educated staff is offered always to reply your questions on Concepcion coin worth and extra!
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