Salvaged from sunken ship- Silver ducatone of Philip IV, Antwerp (Belgium), 1637

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Jacoby Lowney, Jun 18, 2016.

  1. Jacoby Lowney

    Jacoby Lowney New Member

    My father gave me this coin and said that he lost the Certificate that came with it many years ago. He stated that the coin was from a sunken Spanish Ship from the southern tip of Africa. (This was his best recollection but may have been inaccurate). He purchased the coin sometime in the 1990s. I found some information online of a coin very similar dated a year earlier. The coin I found gave the following description:

    Silver ducatone of Philip IV, Antwerp (Belgium), 1636.
    Obverse:
    Draped bust of Philip II to r.: PHIL. IIII. D.G. HISP. ET. INDIAR[. REX]. 16 -- 36
    Reverse:
    Crowned and supported arms.: [A]RCHID. AVST. DV -- X. BVRG. BRAB. Zc

    I am assuming that my coin is also from Antwerp? IS there anyone who can shed some light on this for me? Do you know if a coin can be traced to a particular sunken ship based on its age or type? I hate not having the provenance on the coin! Furthermore, What does all these words mean on the coin? Please help? Is the coin valuable? What would be the coins condition? I am not a coin collector or expert. IMG_2993.JPG IMG_2994.JPG IMG_2993.JPG IMG_2994.JPG
     
    Jacoby Lowney, Jun 18, 2016
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  3. jgenn

    jgenn World Crown Collector

    I can't answer all of your questions but I can say the coin is not from Antwerp. The mintmark, between the 16 and 37 would be a hand if from Antwerp. This one looks more like the Brussels mintmark, an angelface.

    You have not provided its diameter or weight. If it is a ducaton will be close to 40mm and 32g.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2016
    jgenn, Jun 18, 2016
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  4. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    If you can post some pictures of your actual coin we might be able to help with identifying the mint where it was made. The info mentioned above about the mint marks is correct.

    Sometimes they can, but more often not. About the only ones that can be traced to a certain wreck are those where the entire mintage of a given coin was on the ship. And with the coin you are asking about, a 1636 Antwerp ducaton - that was not the case. So no, your coin cannot be traced to a particular wreck.

    The obverse (heads) - Philip IV By The Grace of God King of Spain and the Indies
    reverse - Archduke of Austria Duke of Burgundy and Brabant

    I guess that depends on how you define valuable. Similar coins in that condition are being offered for sale or have sold for anywhere from $100-$200.

    I am referring to the coin you pictured here - the obverse of the coin has minor corrosion, the reverse is pretty much completely corroded - as a general rule this greatly lessens its value. It is what is called a problem coin and is ungradeable in that condition.

    As for your coin, without pictures of it there is no way to estimate its value or condition.
     
    GDJMSP, Jun 19, 2016
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