Military Officer - January 2008 - (Page 7) America’s First Silver— Recovered from Shipwreck Minted over 220 years ago, the most trusted coins in America were Spanish Portrait Silver Dollars. Known as “Pieces of Eight” for their 8 Reales denomination, they were America’s first silver dollars. Hefty coins like these jingled in the pockets of American patriots such as George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. These coins circulated in the U.S. up until the Civil War. However, scant few are left to remind us of our nation’s early history. Now, thanks to a mysterious shipwreck and a special purchase, you can own this colonial-American antiquity. What’s remarkable is not only whose hands may have touched coins like these, but that they even exist today! Their exact pedigree is still shrouded in mystery. What we do know is the ship they were recovered from went down some time after 1783. Though these silver coins show the distinctive evidence of undersea corrosion, they are in incredibly good condition considering all they have been through over two centuries! At $99 (plus S&H), don’t let this chance sail away! 800-642-9160 ext. 5714 ©2007 New York Mint, Ltd. Not affiliated with the U. S. Government. New York Mint Edina • MN
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