Treasures of El Cazador Gift Set in pristine condition - which includes a guaranteed genuine silver 2 real coin dated 1781 which was recovered from the El Cazador shipwreck of 1784, conserved, and sealed in a Numismatic Guarantee Corporation slab, an educational DVD about the shipwreck and it's amazing discovery, and an informational booklet with a certificate of authenticity.
El Cazador is called the shipwreck that changed the world due to it's key role in the events leading up to a young United States having the opportunity to double it's size through the Louisiana purchase. Spain had to sell the Louisiana territory to France after these coins failed to arrive to shore up the provinces finances. Napoleon, who was focused on Europe, then re-sold the territory to the United States.
The Spanish eight real coin is considered America's first silver dollar as it was legal tender in the United States. The phrase 'piece of eight' referred to this type of coin. For historical context, the famed pirate Jean Lafitte was born in 1780, three years before this coin was minted.
Coin Case Dimensions: Length 3 and 3/8 inches, Width 2 and 3/8 inches, Height 3/8 inch
Wooden Display Box Dimensions: Length 10 and 5/8 inches, Width 7 and 3/8 inches, Height 2 and 1/2 inches