This 14 kt Gold Pendant is Conquered by a mounted 6 Tentacle Octopus that gleams and sparkles along with Melee Diamonds. The head of the Octopus proves a watchful eye with 2 small Emeralds eyes. The bezel holds 3 – 2.70 mm Diamonds that are well placed for the classy look.

The mounted coin has seen many miles. First, the Silver used to mint the coin was probably taken from a South American Incan or Aztec warrior and melted into a Silver small disc. Then, struck into an 8 Reale coin. From there, the coin traveled back to the Old World, Spain. Once back in Spain, it was again loaded into chests chartered with a course for Asia.   This Silver coin is an NGC Graded 8 Reale and is from the Spice Islands Shipwreck c. 1630 (NGC # 6065270-077). The Spice Islands wreck is a mystery whether it was actually a plate ship or merchant vessel is unclear. What is known is that when the ship became stuck and too damaged to continue on her voyage; the crew made the decision to light the ship on fire and scuttle her contents. The Spice Islands are a small group of islands NE of Indonesia. An unknown ship is presumed to have sunk circa 1630 leaving behind several chests of 8 Reales minted in Mexico City and Potosi during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain.

This is the actual Pendant you will receive.

An 8 Reale from the Nuestra Senora De Atocha. Certified in September 1986, this is probably one of the few pieces, an Octopus with Eight Tentacles, that will be produced because of the extra weight. The Octopus mounted on this 14k Bezel has been created to show all the Melee Diamonds. Michael wanted to create a piece that just wasn’t a “Bling” piece of Mel Fisher’s Atocha Silver, but a Classy 1622 piece of Pirate’s luxury loot. Much produced like the 6 Tentacle piece, the 8 Tentacle design is still a very popular piece. The 2 Emerald Eyes on the head are mounted to make sure they can keep watch of everything.

Complete with Mel Fisher’s Certificate of Authenticity, the 8 Tentacle Octopus is guaranteed to catch the eye of anyone looking in your direction.

This is a piece that was discovered in Potosi, Bolivia. The date on the coin is 1675 PE, Charles II. Details are good on both sides of the coin. The grade on this 8 Reale is at least a grade 2. Very nice detail. This this coins is surrounded by 14k Gold with 4- Beautifully placed 2.70 Diamonds in the Spanish / “Blessing Cross”, and the bezel is complete with 3- 2.50 mm Emeralds. What is a Blessing Cross?    A “Blessing Cross” is a hand held cross by a priest or bishop. It is often made of precious metal and may be adorned with enamelwork, and precious or semi-precious gemstones.     You must understand that Christianity was making its way through Spain long before Christopher Columbus. A nautical myth handed down through the centuries is that when Pirates raided a vessel, many of the Pirates were reluctant to touch any Cross because of the revenge God could cast upon the thief’s for doing so.

Again, this coin is not from a shipwreck, but it is still produced from the same region Mel Fisher’s Atocha coins were struck some 50 years later. Michael chose the “Blessing Cross” on this piece because of growing up in Catholicism. The dynamics of the Emeralds mounted portrays an affection for the sea. Emeralds were known to be traded for just about everything even before sea trade routes were charted. The Diamonds placed in the “Blessing Cross,” represents the best of the finest.

If this coin could only talk? The history of this coin is somewhat impressive. This coin was originally struck at the same time period when Mel Fisher’s  Atocha shipwreck coins were struck. Probable by the same craftsmen. From Peru, the coins were loaded into chest then loaded on ships bound for the Old World. Once in Spain,  the coins, at some point, were loaded onto another vessel bound for Asia. Mounted around the bezel are 3 – 2.70 mm Diamonds with the “Blessing Cross” with 4 – 2.50 Rubies.

What is a Blessing Cross?    A Blessing Cross is a hand Cross held by a priest or bishop. It is often made of precious metal and may be adorned with enamelwork, and precious or semi-precious gemstones. You must understand that Christianity was making its way through Spain long before Christopher Columbus.  The 14k Gold Cross encompasses an  NGC Graded 8 Reale that is from the Spice Islands Shipwreck c. 1630 (NGC # 6065270-171). The Spice Islands wreck was a mystery… whether it was actually a plate ship or merchant vessel is unclear. What is known is that when the ship became stuck and too damaged to continue on her voyage; the crew made the decision to light the ship on fire and scuttle her contents. The Spice Islands are a small group of islands NE of Indonesia. 

The 14k Gold Blessing Cross mounted on this Pendant is a fine example of the Christian movement and the many changes to Spain in the word of God.  This Shipwreck 8 Reale Silver Coin was from just one of the many sailings to secure trade thru the Asian Islands. It was a nautical myth, when Pirates raided ships containing a Cross, many Pirates were reluctant to handle such items because of the fear of God’s revenge cast upon the Pirates.

This Spice Island Coin was hand removed from the NGC holder pictured. You will receive the NGC holder it was removed from and Certificate of Authenticity with the coin. This is the actual coin and bezel you will receive.