MEXICO: LOT of 3 shipwreck coins recovered from the Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon), including Philip IV, 1621-1665 AR 8 reales ND assayer P (26.28g), AR 4 reales ND assayer P (12.82g), and AR 2 reales ND assayer P or D (6.43g), all with Western Australia Museum numbered COA's and packaging from Alan Robinson, average quality examples, retail value $700, lot of 3 coins. The Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) was a ship constructed in 1653 by the Dutch East India Company. In 1656, the Vergulde Draeck set sail from the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, for the VOC's trading headquarters at Batavia, in the Dutch East Indies. On the night of 28 April 1656, the Vergulde Draeck struck a submerged coral reef midway between what are now the coastal towns of Seabird and Ledge Point, Western Australia. On board were 193 crew, eight boxes of silver coins worth 78,600 guilders and trade goods to the value of 106,400 guilders. Of the 193 crew, 118 are believed to have perished. The initial 75 survivors, including the ship's captain Pieter Albertszoon, and the under steersman, made it to shore. They had with them the ship's boat, a schuyt, along with a small amount of provisions and stores washed on shore. The identity of the official discoverers of the Vergulde Draeck has been a contentious issue over many years though it is generally accepted that the wreck was found by John Cowen; Jim, Alan and Graeme Henderson; and Alan Robinson. The latter claims to have discovered it on August 10, 1957.

Estimate: USD 500-600