Shipwreck Sale: XX Cash Copper Coin from ADMIRAL GARDNER Price Reduced

NOTE: The description of the ADMIRAL GARDNER shipwreck and the coins found is identical with each lot featuring these coins--except for this one coin. It is a bit larger in diameter and the denomination is "XX Cash." All of the others are X Cash denomination.

The ADMIRAL GARDNER was an "Indian Merchantman" ship, carrying tens of thousands of newly minted X (Roman Numera ten) Cash (denomination) coppers that were minted in England and en route to India. The ship foundered and sunk off the English coast in a storm in 1809. The coins were stored in barrels and it's not known exactly how many coins or barrels were on the ship, but the coins were spewed about the ship and the ocean floor when it sunk.

All of the coins went directly from the mint into the barrels loaded on to the ship. Many of the coins show encrustation from the salt water and others look as bright as when they were loaded. The "perfect" mint coins were no doubt found buried inside piles of coins still in barrels and not subjected to the effects of the ocean.

I have listed the X Cash ADMIRAL GARDNER coins individually both loose and also in their postcard-sized plastic slabs as they were packaged in the 1990s for sale. The cards with the coins were intended to provide a statement of authenticity (that they indeed were salvaged from the ADMIRAL GARDNER) and to provide background on the coins and ship. This larger diameter and higher denomination is the only XX cash I was able to obtain.

Also in this sale are 6 encased ADMIRAL GARDNER COINS that are $47.50 rather than $49.50 because they will come out of inventory randomly rather than having you select a specific coin. There is no difference in the coins as they all are uncirculated but in various conditions. We simply wanted to make this option a couple dollars cheaper!

This, the only XX Cash in the sale, is loose and priced slightly more expensively due to its scarcity.