Pirates ahoy - Post doubloons please

zeebob

So... I've been thinking about buying one or more doubloons (whatever those are) (32-reales pieces struck by Spain maybe). Do any of you kind folks have some pretty photos that I might oogle over? I would sort of like to find an example that might legitimately be called "pirate treasure." You know maybe something struck in the New World by Spain and maybe the sort of thing that would not have been unlikely to find it's way into a privateer's (or pirate's) coffer.

I'm hoping to see some photos and receive some informative comments.

lordmarcovan

8-escudos pieces were "doubloons".

To a lesser degree, the smaller denominations of 1/2, 1, 2, and 4 escudos are sometimes also called doubloons, because each denomination was double the one below it, hence the nickname.

All I presently have is a 1790s 1-escudo on my Holey Gold Hat. I have never scanned it, but would be happy to do so if you wanna see it. (It's holey, of course).

Edit to add: we actually gave away a 1770s 1/2- or 1-escudo piece as a grand prize during one of the Metal Detecting Forum "Virtual Treasure Hunt" extravaganzas. (I think it was the last, VTH3).

zeebob

A hole is fine by me... We can call it a pirate piercing. Arrg...

Thanks in advance for the pic!

adamlaneus

I don't know exactly what this is, but it speaks to me. This piece seems to ooze "Pirate treasure".



It's a Polish gold double ducat, struck in 1670. 6.95gm. 30x32mm. $37,140. Also, it's sold but I am not the buyer.


Although it is unlikely to be a 'pirate' coin...the front artwork really looks to me like it could _be_ a pirate. Of course, that is nonsensical. I still think it's an awesome coin.


The 8 escudo pieces you speak of are largish I believe. About an ounce.

adamlaneus

This coin also says to me "I belong in a pirate treasure chest".



Another poland coin. A 1595 Ducat. 3.48g. 22mm. The size of a nickel, so it's not your huge pirate booty. But check out that awesome leering King Sigismund III. Sold for $11,976.

lordmarcovan

Polish pirates? Puh-lease.

It wasn't called the Spanish Main for nothin'.

Of course there were probably British and Dutch and French coins in the chests, too.

And yeah, OK... maybe one or two Polish ones, if it makes you happy to think about.

I'll admit it's an appealing thought.

adamlaneus

Ducats were a 'standard' gold coin of Europe during the privateer era. There had to be lots of these around.



This one was minted in the Netherlands in 1590.

adamlaneus

Polish pirates avoided mainstream history books because their operations were not in the Caribbean.

They were land pirates.

Here's a coin from Chile to confuse the matter.





You know, if I could find a spanish, mexican, bolivian (etc) 8 escudo piece, I would have posted a picture of it by now. For some reason, i'm coming up dry.

adamlaneus

Itty bitty baby pirate coin.

Spanish 1/2 escudo. Just 16mm.



Problem is, I think the year 1759 is way too late for Caribbean piracy. You need a much earlier date.

ColinCMR

Those are all really cool

Polish pirates? privateers? In the Baltic I'm guessing too?

lordmarcovan

Here's the best I could do.



From my trademark Holey Gold Hat.

zeebob

Guys, these are GREAT. Very motivational for a fella like me. Thank you for the posts!

Hussulo

lordmarcovan

I've never had anything bigger than a 1-escudo in the Spanish gold, now that I think of it.

lordmarcovan

Here's one came out of our local dirt, for a detecting buddy of mine.



It was one of TWO gold coins he found on that site, the other being a lovely 1907 US $10 gold piece.

His other finds are equally stunning.