1715 Gold & Diamond Cross Queens Jewels. Pirate Gold Coins Queens Jewels. 1715 FLEET GOLD & DIAMOND CROSS PART OF THE QUEEN’S JEWELS! PIRATE GOLD COINS SHIPWRECK TREASURE. This incredible Artifact was discovered by an Original Real Eight Co. Founding member in 1967. It comes complete with both a COA by famed Marine Archeologist and a Full Appraisal as well. It is made from 19.8 kt. Yellow Gold, Circa late 1600s or early 1700s. It consists of 14 table/Rose cut diamonds and senailles. The total Carat weight of the diamonds is 2.15cwt. The total weight of the Cross and diamonds is 11.8gm and measures 6cm x 3.5cm (2.5 x 1.5), approximately. Other items included Gold Rings, and the Gold Dragon. Queens Jewels: As the War of the Succession raged on (also known as Queen Annes War) from 1700 to 1715 (until the Treaty was signed), King Philip V lost his beloved Queen consort, Maria Teresa. It was imperative for Philip V to find a new Queen in order to cement the relationship of the Burbon Dynasty in Spain. Due to the importance, it was carefully strategized and the arrangement was made to solidify the Union for both family and political dynastic concerns. The Choice, Elizabeth Ordordo Farnese, daughter of the hereditary prince of Parma. This union took place on December 24th by proxy, Elizabeth was 22 and Philip V, then 31. HOWEVER, Elizabeth would not consummate the marriage and she received her dowry the Queens Jewels. World went out and artisans rushed to create jewels unlike any known before! These jewels were loaded onto the Capitana of the 1715 FLEET, the Nuestara Señora del Carmen. There were 8 Chests jewels that were loaded under the watchful eye of the Admiral himself, Capt. Ubilla, and all 8 Chests were lost that day (including the Admiral and his son) on July 31, 1715, at approx. There have been crosses found on many Spanish Shipwreck sites, but few can match the exquisite beauty and eloquence of this object. Its connection to a larger jewelry objects (1992 brooch and earring set) have matching style and personalities that were part of the Original Real Eight Corporation. Featured in the book Treausres of the Spanish Main by John Christopher Fine (2006) pg 138 & 139 clearly exemplify these matching styles (brooches and earrings) with this Gold & Diamond Cross. The style (filigree) of this piece and setting type matches that of the other Queen Jewels as featured in several books (see attached pictures). Notice at the bottom of the Cross theres an extra eye hole loop, as this piece was most certainly part of a much larger display piece for the Queen. This style is typical and can be seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum and in several other books A Sparkling Age: 17th Century Diamond Jewelry pg. 215 by the Diamond Museum I Antwerp published in 1933 and allso in the book Fiver Centuries of Jewelry pg. 45 by the National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon published in 1955. The 1715 Treasure Fleet was a Spanish treasure fleet returning from the New World to Spain. In the evening of July 30, 1715 , seven days after departing from Havana, Cuba, 11 of the 12 ships of this fleet were lost in a hurricane near present day Vero Beach, Florida. Because the fleet was carrying silver, it is also known as the 1715 Plate Fleet (plata being the Spanish word for silver plate). Some artifacts and even coins still wash up on Florida beaches from time to time. Around 1,000 sailors perished while a small number survived on lifeboats. Many ships, including pirates, took part in the initial salvage. Initially a privateer, Henry Jennings was first accused of piracy for attacking such salvage ships and claiming their salvages. Thus, earning this coinage the name of Pirates Gold! The story begins with the War of the Spanish Succession ending, as well as the death of the Spanish Queen. King Philip found a new bride, Elizabeth Farnesse, Duchess of Palma and needed a new Queens Dowry. The king would send two separate fleets to the New World (after the Government had cancelled all sailings from the Americas to Spain for two years), which would load up at separate ports Vera Cruz and Cartegena, then meet up in Havana. The plan was to have one large Armada with a heavy navel escort, carrying the accumulated precious metals and jewels from the last three years. Of which, the average year sailed in between 90 and 120 million francs. Treasure The Cartegena Fleet arrived first in Havana (in March), loaded down by chests filled with Gold coins (from Santa Fe de Bogota), Colombian Emeralds from Muzo mine and gold jewelry from Peru. Awaiting the fleet of Vera Cruz, commanded by Gen. Don Juan Eseban de Ubilla, carrying Gold and Silver ingots. However Don Juan was delayed in Vera Cruz awaiting pack mule trains from Acapulco. Finally in the first week of May the mule train arrived with their silks, ivories and blue and white porcelains. The details of the Queens jewels are blurry at best, but were known to include and Emerald ring weighing in at 74 carats, a heart designed from 130 matched pears, a pair of earrings each of 14 pears and a rosary of pure coral. There were 8 chests in total and stowed in Ubillas cabin (who was a senior military officer and had overall command). After many other delays, finally the Galleons left Havana on Wednesday July 24th, with favorable winds pushing them at nearly 6 knots. By the 29th the winds were over 70 knots, with gusts hitting over 100 knots. The chaplain said, the water flew in the air like arrows, doing injury to those it hit. Finally, at 2:30am on July 31st, the flagship hit the reefs and torn apart, throwing all off her decks and 223 sailors were pounded to death by the rocks. More than 700 men were missing, wreckage and bodies scattered for almost 30 miles along the coast. For the next four years the Spanish attempted to salvage the treasure, but finally ceased in 1719. The dangers or sharks, pirates and Indians were just too great. There was an estimate of 14 million pesos registered treasure lost. This sunken fleet of Galleons is still giving up her Treasure! In 2010 the claim owners discovered the only bronze swivel gun ever found on the 1715 Fleet. Tucked away inside this the bronze cannon were 51 Gold Escudos and 40 Silver Reales. Most recently, another find of 50 Feet of Gold Chain and 5 additional Gold escudos were just recovered, approx.. The item “1715 FLEET QUEENS JEWELS GOLD DIAMOND CROSS PIRATE GOLD COINS SHIPWRECK TREASURE” is in sale since Thursday, December 27, 2018. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ World\Europe\Spain”. The seller is “pirategoldcoins” and is located in La Jolla, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Certification: NGC
- Composition: Gold
- Denomination: 2 Escudos
- Year: 1715
