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.

What is the minimum documentation a wreck coin should have?

A named salvage source, paperwork identifying that specific coin, and a written attribution on the invoice. Third-party certification naming the wreck is stronger still.

What if a coin has no provenance at all?

Buy it as an undocumented Spanish colonial coin and pay undocumented prices. The coin can still be genuine and worth owning; what is missing is the multiplier a wreck name carries.

The Provenance Checklist

The five things to verify before buying a wreck coin — from anyone, including us.

Before you buy a wreck coin, verify five things: the named salvage source, a certificate or tag that identifies this coin specifically, third-party certification you can look up, agreement between the coin's date and mint and the wreck's cargo window, and a written attribution on the invoice. If any one of the five is missing, buy the coin as an undocumented colonial coin and pay accordingly.

1 — Who recovered it, and did they have the right to?

Every legitimate wreck coin traces to a specific salvage operation working a specific site under a specific legal arrangement. Ask for the salvor's name and the site. Then check that the salvor actually worked that wreck: the list of legally salvaged and legally sold sites is short and public.

2 — Does the paperwork identify this coin?

A salvor certificate naming the wreck and, ideally, carrying a tag, flip or lot number.
A number that appears on one coin, not on a batch — duplicated numbers are a known abuse.
Photographs in the paperwork that match the coin in hand, including its specific damage.

3 — Is there certification you can verify yourself?

Look the certificate number up on the grader's own site rather than trusting a photo of a label. Confirm the wreck name appears on the holder if the wreck is part of the price.

4 — Do the coin and the wreck agree?

Read the coin first: mint, assayer, date bracket. Then test it against the wreck. A coin dated after the loss ends the discussion, and a mint that did not feed that fleet requires an explanation.

5 — Will the seller put it in writing?

A dealer who believes the attribution will state it on the invoice. That is the difference between a claim and a warranty, and it costs an honest seller nothing.

Every Dark Tide Relics coin ships with its attribution stated in writing and, where a dossier exists, a permanent verification record you can check independently.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum documentation a wreck coin should have? A named salvage source, paperwork identifying that specific coin, and a written attribution on the invoice. Third-party certification naming the wreck is stronger still.
What if a coin has no provenance at all? Buy it as an undocumented Spanish colonial coin and pay undocumented prices. The coin can still be genuine and worth owning; what is missing is the multiplier a wreck name carries.

Sources

Dark Tide Relics, Report No. 13 — The Attribution Codex (seven-step attribution method)
NGC — Shipwreck coin certification and “Genuine / Shipwreck Effect” designations — https://www.ngccoin.com
Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC — Auction archives and counterfeit-cob reference material — https://www.sedwickcoins.com