Looking for info on a Atocha shipwreck coin

peterpilat

Hello my name is Peter and I am fairly new to coin collecting. My mother has had this coin since the 80s and she said she bought it directly from the people who found these in 85 I believe. I do not know much about this coin and I was wondering if someone could estimate its value and or condition? I was wonder if i should leave it inside the bezel it's currently in. Also, is this a coin that could be graded and would it be worth getting it graded? Thank you for your time and consideration.

Peter

LochNESS

You should read this thoroughly: Atocha coins background and pics

Steve27

Here's a link to a site which deals in cobs, shipwreck coins, and Atocha material Sedwick Coins

In my opinion, your coin should not be slabbed, it's a low grade piece, and if the bezel came with the coin from Mel Fisher's group, it's probably better to leave it in the bezel.

nicholasz219

Man, this happened when I was about 9 or 10. I mean you could not pick up a coin magazine or Coin World paper and not have a full 8 page spread in there about everything going down in Florida. To a kid at the time, it seemed that the ocean was full of magical treasures and fun for the taking.

And customers for the fleecing, apparently. Blast from the past.

LochNESS

Yes you must tread VERY carefully.

The metal of the bezel does not seem to match the metal of the coin. Beyond that, I have neither the expertise nor the time to research. Hopefully someone who handled these coins will chime in.

Good luck

peterpilat

I am sorry I forgot to mention my mother added the bezel..

LochNESS

Hmm perhaps she tried to sell it once and was told it was fake, and so she made into jewelry instead? Was any of the info in that article useful?

peterpilat

She's never tried to sell it. She makes jewelry herself and apparently wanted to make this into a necklace. I looked on Ebay and a lot of them are sold as a necklace, i don't get it! I read the info you provided and it was somewhat helpful. I think I need to have it appraised. Could be a possible fake I am not sure. I haven't found another coin like it that has that good of a round shape.