Are Dark Tide Relics shipwreck coins authentic?

Every shipwreck coin and artifact sold by Dark Tide Relics is authenticated and accompanied by provenance documentation from recognized authorities such as the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, NGC, or PCGS, plus a permanent digital provenance record via TreasureCheck.ai.

Which shipwrecks does Dark Tide Relics specialize in?

Dark Tide Relics curates artifacts from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha (1622), Santa Margarita, the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, El Cazador (1784), SS Central America (1857), Maravillas, Concepción, and other documented Spanish colonial and American Gold Rush wrecks.

How are orders shipped?

All orders ship via FedEx, fully insured and with adult signature required on delivery.

Does Dark Tide Relics buy shipwreck coins from collectors?

Yes. Dark Tide Relics actively acquires authenticated shipwreck coins and collections. Submissions can be made through the Sell Coins program at darktiderelics.com/sell-coins.

How Shipwreck Coins Are Graded

Shipwreck silver doesn't grade like a Morgan dollar. Here's the framework — and why surface character matters as much as detail.

Modern coin grading assumes a coin was made, circulated, and stored. Shipwreck cobs broke that timeline. They were made, lost at sea for centuries, and recovered with crusted surfaces and partial detail.

We think about grade on three axes: detail, surface, and provenance.

Detail covers what's still legible — shield quartering, cross arms, mint marks, assayer initials, and date fragments. A coin where one full face reads is mid-grade. Both faces fully legible is rare and premium.

Surface is the wreck's fingerprint. Sea-cast texture, original patina, and uncleaned character all add value. Aggressive cleaning destroys it.

Provenance ties everything together. An original Mel Fisher tag, an NGC or PCGS shipwreck designation, or a documented chain of custody multiplies confidence — and price.