Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
And here is the lengthy lot description.
PERU, Lima, "Star of Lima" type, cob 8 reales presentation strike, 1659 V, mintmark * above LIMA, V to left and 8 to right, rare, NGC AU details / saltwater damage, ex-Ullian. S-L5; KM-18.1; Cal-1243. 26.85 grams. As we have noted in several articles, the "Jupiter Wreck" is known for yielding an important group of very well-struck sample presentation pieces of the 1659 "Star of Lima" issue that was struck without authorization from the King, who was the intended recipient but obviously never saw these samples. Among these are a few very choice 8 reales like this lot, which we called finest known when we first sold it in 2009 from the unadvertised holdings of the famous Florida diver/collector and original Real Eight Co. member Lou Ullian. Later, this coin was a highlight in our first floor auction in 2014. With satin-smooth surfaces graced with lovely toning, this piece features a beautifully detailed full crown above pillars containing *-LIMA-1659 above pristine waves, •V• to left and •8• to right inside king's name PHILIPPVS in the legend, also with perfect lions and castles inside bold cross on other side whose legend shows curiously reversed N's, both sides slightly off-center and with just a hint of surface corrosion but otherwise superb, fully UNC (despite what NGC says), and truly one of the loveliest shipwreck 8 reales you will ever see. Pedigreed to the Lou Ullian Collection (Sedwick Auction 5, lot 260) and also Sedwick Auction 16 (lot 492). Recovered from: “Jupiter Wreck” (San Miguel Arcángel), sunk in 1659 off the east coast of Florida
After I found this half reale I sent a picture to Sedwick Coins and asked something about it. I forget the question I asked, but I remember that Augie called it a "Star of Lima" and I didn't know why because I did not see any star.
The next cob (lot 264) in the same auction is also described as a "Star of Lima" type.
That leads to a question I've had for several years.
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| Lot 264 in Current Sedwick Auction. |
This half reale is described as a "Star of Lima" type cob, but I do not see any star.
Here is the lot description for this one.
PERU, Lima, "Star of Lima" type, cob ½ real, Philip IV, (1659) (V), very rare. S-L5; KM-unl; Cal-545. 1.14 grams. Bold monogram with crown above on one side and full cross on other, date in legend not visible but with distinctive details, contrastingly toned and a bit thin but not overly corroded, already rare as a shipwreck ½R but this type particularly rare. Pedigreed to Sedwick Auction 5, with original lot-tag 263 and Sedwick photo-certificate. Recovered from: “Jupiter Wreck” (San Miguel Arcángel), sunk in 1659 off the east coast of Florida.
I found the half reale shown below several years ago. I've described that find before.
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| Jupiter Beach Half Reale Find. |
After I found this half reale I sent a picture to Sedwick Coins and asked something about it. I forget the question I asked, but I remember that Augie called it a "Star of Lima" and I didn't know why because I did not see any star.
This is one of my favorite cob finds for several reasons. One reason is the sharpness of the design. The details are the best I've ever found on a dug cob, even though this side of the cob was completely encrusted and invisible when found. When I cleaned up I found the surface of the coin in great shape, as you see in the photo above.
The half in the auction and the one I found seem to be the same design. I still don't know why they are "Star of Lima" cobs even though there is no star. I should have asked Augie.
That find consisted of a series of discoveries. It washed out of the dunes. I was working in thigh-high water, which was bouncing off the dune face. It was difficult just standing up, not to mention the additional difficulty of recovering any targets in the water that was nearly knocking off my feet. When I dug this target, I put the scoop out towards my wife, and she removed it from the scoop. It was just one of those days when I got the feeling that I should drive down to Jupiter.
After finally getting the hard sand encrustation removed, I was delighted to see the remarkable condition of the monogram. The question about it being a "Star of Lima" and why continued to linger in my mind for years and was reawaked when I saw the "Star of Lima" cobs in the auction listings.
Below is an excerpt from a great article on Star of Lima cobs, including half-reales as well as the larger denominations that do show the star.
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Other issues: Half reales and gold
“Star of Lima” coins of the half-real denomination are known, both from the San Miguel and later, but do not bear any attributes that would assign them to any particular series, for their design is the usual (but distinctive) monogram and cross-lions-castles. At least one is known with a 1659 date in the legend on the cross side. I have also heard of a ½ real with a design like the higher denominations, but I have not seen it to confirm its design or authenticity. Intriguingly, mint records show that quarter reales were struck as well, but nothing attributable to this issue has come to light.
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So it seems that half-reale Star of Lima cobs do not show the star.The same article also talks in detail about the larger denominations, including a variety of types of Star of Lima reales.
Here is the link.
And here is a link to Augie's article on Star of Lima cobs.
My conclusion at this point, is that my half-reale find is a Star of Lima, as Augie said, but I still do not know why it is called that since the star is not visible
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| Source: Surfguru.com. |
So the surf chart is little changed since yesterday We still have a peak surf predicted for Wednesday.
The high tides remain high too.
Good hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net