A diver found a bunch of 1893 silver coins buried in the sand while diving off Belize...*updated wit

MajorDuty · February 2, 2009 2:58PM

I just now checked my email and got this note from my sister who is diving with a girlfriend:

"Got a coin for you. One of the divers found a bunch of silver 1893 coins buried in the sand off of Belize when he was diving. Nice guy from Canada gave it to me when I offered to buy it. Cool."

I have no idea what it is but I think it's pretty cool. Can't wait for her to come back. I'm not expecting anything really valuable it's just a neat story. My sister is so cool.

UPDATE: Attached are pictures my sister took of the subject coin. I was wrong about the coin not being that round. A closer look at the pictures and it does in fact appear to be normally round. I plan on posting much better pictures once I get the coin in hand in a couple days. I'm sure the many experts here can identify this:

UPDATE2: Here's a quick before shot. The coin has been sitting in vinegar for about a week with almost zero change. Some chunks have come off but not quite what I was hoping with regard to the "cleaning".

northcoin · February 2, 2009 3:04PM

<< I just now checked my email and got this note from my sister who is diving with a girlfriend:

"Got a coin for you. One of the divers found a bunch of silver 1893 coins buried in the sand off of Belize when he was diving. Nice guy from Canada gave it to me when I offered to buy it. Cool."

I have no idea what it is but I think it's pretty cool. Can't wait for her to come back. I'm not expecting anything really valuable it's just a neat story. My sister is so cool. >>

Buried Pirate Treasure. Just hope the curse doesn't go with it.

MajorDuty · February 2, 2009 3:06PM

<< Buried Pirate Treasure. Just hope the curse doesn't go with it.

>>

The way things have been going for me these past six months I wouldn't be surprised! Thanks. ;-)

lawnmowerman · February 2, 2009 3:55PM

Very interesting..congrats!

My brother is a diver and finds lots of cool stuff. He found a bunch of WWII "live" ammo recently.

He is still waiting on that ole sunken treasure chest of coins though

lathmach · February 2, 2009 10:56PM

It's gotta be an old Morgan Dollar. That was the year the San Francisco mint shipped so many to central America.

Ray

Casey · February 2, 2009 10:58PM

That's really cool!

cohocorp · February 2, 2009 10:59PM

cool story.

PerryHall · February 2, 2009 11:08PM

We need pics!!!

CB2597 · February 2, 2009 11:10PM

<< We need pics!!! >>

keepdachange · February 2, 2009 11:11PM

very

Gemini · February 2, 2009 11:29PM

Arrrrgh matey that news is enough to make your timbers shiver.

tahoe98 · February 3, 2009 2:36AM

<< I just now checked my email and got this note from my sister who is diving with a girlfriend:

"Got a coin for you. One of the divers found a bunch of silver 1893 coins buried in the sand off of Belize when he was diving. Nice guy from Canada gave it to me when I offered to buy it. Cool."

I have no idea what it is but I think it's pretty cool. Can't wait for her to come back. I'm not expecting anything really valuable it's just a neat story. My sister is so cool. >>

.................that's fantastic! did you tell your sister to "please hold it by the edge!?"

rhedden · February 3, 2009 2:53AM

Did they say it was a U.S. coin? Could be Brazillian or other South American.

julie43 · February 3, 2009 2:58AM

you have a very thoughtful sister, that in itself is a huge blessing

pakasmom · February 3, 2009 3:04AM

That's really sweet of your sister. And nice of the Canadian guy to give it to her. I'll be hoping it's a Morgan and that it's got an "S" mint on it.....

MajorDuty · February 3, 2009 3:31AM

<< We need pics!!! >>

I will most definitely post pictures.

I asked her if it was a Morgan dollar, which was kind of dumb on my part because I don't think she knows what a Morgan is, she just knows her little brother collects coins.

I checked my email again this morning and this is her return note: "I don't know. Mexican silver? I need to find out exactly where he was diving....he told me....forgot......something about a coconut trade back then and they used to trade coconuts for these silver coins, and then the date 1893. He said they're only worth about $40 each, but the story on them is cool. He saw one coin and then dug down a bit and put his hand in and came up with all these coins. They were down there for about an hour filling up. Buried treasure!"

tahoe98 · February 3, 2009 3:47AM

............really an exciting story.

YaHa · February 3, 2009 3:53AM

Maybe it's the lost treasure/coin of Captain Black Jack Sparrow.

Or the droppings of his damn Parrot.

Nice story. Giving is good.

intence · February 3, 2009 3:58AM

nice its a peice of treasure

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 8:05AM

I received some not so good mobile phone pictures of the subject coin. I could post them here but I think I'll wait a couple days so I can post my own photos when the coin shows up in the mail.

You can see, though, the coin has obvious funk on it from being buried in the sand and ocean. This is not some rare, valuable find, I assume, so after positive identification I want to consider, ahem, cleaning it up a bit.

What does the consensus say is a relatively safe way to address a coin which has been submerged in the sea and what might help in getting some of the crust off so one can at least see the coin itself?

Elcontador · February 9, 2009 8:27AM

It could very well be something like a four or eight real coin issues by one the the Mexican states. The eight real coin was Mexico's answer to the Morgan Dollar, though I think the former is the more attractive of the two. If it is a four or eight real coin, it's an heirloom; it won't have much numismatic value.

Steve27 · February 9, 2009 8:31AM

First show us some pics, it may be more valuable if it's left in its original state. However, a mild acid (I would start with vinegar) will remove most marine growth.

Staircoins · February 9, 2009 8:37AM

Congratulations!

You know, of course, that we want to see the mobile phone pics anyway - Now! (crappy or not!)

Your own pre-treatment pics can come when you have the coin.

I agree, a vinegar soak will probably do the trick - just don't try to rush the job.

JJM · February 9, 2009 8:38AM

U Kinda Suck

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 9:47AM

<< It could very well be something like a four or eight real coin issues by one the the Mexican states. The eight real coin was Mexico's answer to the Morgan Dollar, though I think the former is the more attractive of the two. If it is a four or eight real coin, it's an heirloom; it won't have much numismatic value. >>

I think I could make out a curvy, skinny eagle on one side and rays on the other side but the side I thought had rays had the most funk on it so it was a squinting guess at best. The coin was not perfectly round either.

<< You know, of course, that we want to see the mobile phone pics anyway - Now! (crappy or not!) >>

OK, OK, I kind of can't wait either so I'll post them tonight when I get to the files - 7:30 or so PST, but don't hold me to it.

<< U Kinda Suck

>>

lol that's hilarious. But I'll take it! A kinda you suck. 02/09/09

MrEureka · February 9, 2009 9:53AM

It's gotta be an old Morgan Dollar. That was the year the San Francisco mint shipped so many to central America.

There are worse things to find than uncirculated 93-S Morgans with a touch of seawater damage.

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 9:57AM

I'm pretty sure it's not a Morgan but I am usually wrong. The less than perfect circular shape I suppose could be damage of some kind....

yellowjacket · February 9, 2009 11:44AM

NCS does "currating" if I'm not correct.

Garrow

jdp2 · February 9, 2009 12:05PM

<< We need pics!!! >>

I agree, we need pics. Of sister not the coin.......

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 12:31PM

<< 

<< We need pics!!! >>

I agree, we need pics. Of sister not the coin....... >>

Here are the pics. Placed them on page 1 as well.

Pictures of my sister may be found at sisterswing.com.... ;-]

dizzlecc · February 9, 2009 12:34PM

It is definitely a mexico coin. I would guess it is an 8 reales from the size.

Indeed a cool find with a cool story.

Once you receive it, let us know what is on the legend of the coin and we can tell you the mint and assayer.

robkool · February 9, 2009 12:41PM

Based on your pics... The coin appears to be an 8 reales coin from the Rep. of Mexico, before the UN (1) Peso coins were minted.

silvergoldnut · February 9, 2009 12:45PM

<< It's gotta be an old Morgan Dollar. That was the year the San Francisco mint shipped so many to central America.

Ray >>

the eagle looks all wrong, but could you imagine if it was a 1893-s

tightbudget · February 9, 2009 12:48PM

I'd imagine your coin looks something like this if it weren't damaged (this is an 1886, but same design)...

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 12:50PM

Yup! There is the rays and the Eagle. That's it I'd say.

Swampboy · February 9, 2009 1:11PM

O.K. This is too cool.

8 Reales buried in pile, in the sand, in Belize.

19Lyds · February 9, 2009 1:35PM

I smell a Gigantic Marketing opportunity here!

TwoSides2aCoin · February 9, 2009 1:43PM

Tightbudget , that was a good bit of sleuthing. Buried treasure stories are cool.

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 1:48PM

So soak the thing in vinegar? Then vegetable oil?

Then scrub it with an eZest soaked brillo pad? <-- Just kidding!

CoinMiner1 · February 9, 2009 1:49PM

Great story! When I spent the summer in Belize in 1992 I learned a bit about Belize history. The country was british colonized, the only one in C. America. Rather than a farming-based economy such as in the majority of C.A., Belize served as a base for sea trading in the Caribbean, and was a haven for pirates. The reef is the second largest in the world and hosts dozens of islands and cays perfect for hiding a ship and assorted treasure/loot. Most the country is still forested and hides Mayan ruins and no doubt other archeology bounties. Nice find.

MajorDuty · February 9, 2009 2:00PM

<< .....Belize served as a base for sea trading in the Caribbean, and was a haven for pirates. The reef is the second largest in the world and hosts dozens of islands and cays perfect for hiding a ship and assorted treasure/loot. Most the country is still forested and hides Mayan ruins and no doubt other archeology bounties. Nice find. >>

I went there once on a cruise. Me thinks I need to go back there but with scuba gear this time!

Type2 · February 9, 2009 7:12PM

I would have stayed there till I got all of it. But that is just me.

lunytune2 · February 9, 2009 9:40PM

Im sure millions are not invoved here , but wouldn't a dive find of more than a coin need to be reported to the government

Johnp · February 9, 2009 10:55PM

No tell you buddy to go back in the water and find the mother load, tell him to buy a metal detector will make things a lot easier

great story.

CaptHenway · February 9, 2009 10:58PM

Mexican Cap & Rays 8 Reales. Fairly common as a coin, but a neat souvenir.
TD

pmac · February 9, 2009 11:08PM

<< It could very well be something like a four or eight real coin issues by one the the Mexican states. The eight real coin was Mexico's answer to the Morgan Dollar, though I think the former is the more attractive of the two. If it is a four or eight real coin, it's an heirloom; it won't have much numismatic value. >>

I think that the Spanish eight real and it's western hemisphere brothers were the size that the American silver dollar was based on. Before that, the German states had the 'thaler', similar in size.

ricko · February 10, 2009 12:05AM

"Im sure millions are not invoved here , but wouldn't a dive find of more than a coin need to be reported to the government "
Now that would be simply stupid..... It would be gone in sixty seconds... never to be seen again. Cheers, RickO

Swampboy · February 10, 2009 10:36AM

<< "Im sure millions are not invoved here , but wouldn't a dive find of more than a coin need to be reported to the government "
Now that would be simply stupid..... It would be gone in sixty seconds... never to be seen again. Cheers, RickO >>

MajorDuty · February 10, 2009 4:02PM

<< I'd imagine your coin looks something like this if it weren't damaged (this is an 1886, but same design)...

>>

It's an 8 Reals very similar to this one posted. The design is very similar but there are differences. The wings look quite different, bigger. The log at the bottom looks different. Writing on the side with the hat differs I think...it's hard to tell through all the funk on it...but i think I make out a "...UN...RES.....a "Z" or "7" in there...I can't yet see a date (on this coin)...and there is no vinegar in this house!

I took some pictures which I'll post later.

lunytune2 · February 10, 2009 9:35PM

I only say this because of what I see on these ship wreck shows on discovery.

gonzer · February 10, 2009 9:50PM

<< I went there once on a cruise. Me thinks I need to go back there but with scuba gear this time! >>

I don't think SCUBA gear's gonna help ya there, more likely a shovel.

A diver found a bunch of 1893 silver coins buried in the sand while diving off Belize...*updated wit

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