NGC 1826GO JJ Mexican 8 Reales – Steamboat Pulaski Shipwreck – Rare

Description

NGC 1826GO JJ Mexican 8 Reales
Steamboat Pulaski Shipwreck – Rare
Offered for your consideration is a Mexican 8 Reales, dated 1826 from the Guanajuato, recently recovered from the shipwreck of the Steamboat Pulaski, the “Titanic of its Time”. The coin is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation “
SHIPWRECK EFFECT
”, with no further statement of grade. The coin is identified on the holder as “
STRAIGHT J’S
”, with reference to the coin being recovered from the “
SB Pulaski
”, a steamboat destroyed in 1838. Though not stated, the coin exhibits light to moderate wear, the shipwreck effect to the surface making it somewhat difficult to determine. Though still legal tender at the time, one would guess that there would be less Mexican coins on the ship than American, though the seller is not aware of the actual breakdown. The coin is presented in a black-lined wooden box, with “
PULASKI
” presented upon a gray paddlewheel on the top. A wonderful opportunity to acquire one of these rarely offered coins. If you collect shipwreck coins, this is the piece for you.
Research indicates that the Steamboat
Pulaski
was launched in 1837, having been built for Savannah banking and shipping magnate Gazaway Bugg Lamar by the Savannah and Charleston Steam Packet Company (Wikipedia states it was built by John Robb & Company). No expense had been spared in its construction, producing a ship that was faster and safer than any plying the waters between Charleston, South Carolina and New York, New York. It boasted spacious accommodations, a 225-horsepower engine, and copper boilers, as well as several lifeboats in the event of an emergency. On June 13, 1838, the
Pulaski
, on her fourth voyage, departed Savannah, Georgia, with a crew of 37-39 and a complement of mostly affluent passengers, bound for Baltimore, Maryland. The ship stopped in Charleston, South Carolina, where 65 additional passengers were embarked (bringing the total number to between 150 and 160). Published accounts differ regarding the subsequent departure date and time, with some sources stating that the ship left immediately, while others indicate it left the following morning.
On the evening of June 14, 1838 (or June 13
th
, depending upon the account), at approximately 11PM, the ship was approximately 30 miles off the coast of North Carolina, heading north. Without warning, the starboard boiler exploded, wrecking much of the central portion of the ship. Some of the passengers and crew were killed immediately, either scalded by the escaping steam or crushed by falling debris, though many would drown due to the lack of adequate usable lifeboats (two boats were finally launched, one held 10 survivors and the other had 11 individuals). The ship sank in about 45 minutes, resulting in the loss of 128 individuals (a total of 59 people were saved). The ship became known as “The Titanic of its Time”. At the time of its sinking, the
Pulaski
was believed to be carrying at least 0,000 in coins and currency, as well as an estimated ,000 worth of jewelry. The wreck remained hidden for 180 years, not being rediscovered until 2018. Blue Water Ventures International, in partnership with Endurance Exploration Group, which holds the rights to the site, have been recovering material from the wreck, including early United States gold and silver, as well as British, French, and Spanish coins (as recently shown on Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown with host Josh Gates). Many of the coins recovered from the
Pulaski
are of greater historical value than those found on later, more famous, shipwrecks, since it is one of the earliest to contain coinage from the first 50 years of the United States mint.
A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE ONE OF THESE HISTORIC COINS.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA