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.

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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.

Dodington

Lost: 1755
Location: Bird Island, Algoa Bay, South Africa
Coordinates: -33.8300, 26.3000
Era: British East India Company
Coinage: milled
Discovered by: David Allen
Recovery: 1977
Cargo: Silver pay chests, Portuguese gold, Clive's private treasure

English East India Company ship carrying Robert Clive's military chest wrecked on Bird Island off the South African coast.

History

The Dodington was outbound from England to Madras in 1755 with a military chest belonging to Robert Clive — the future conqueror of Bengal. Clive was travelling on a separate ship but his personal fortune, chests of specie, and a substantial cargo of silver were aboard the Dodington when she struck Bird Island off the South African coast in July 1755. Twenty-three of 270 aboard survived, camping on the barren islet for seven months before rescue.

Recovery

The site was rediscovered by South African diver David Allen in 1977 and worked over subsequent years, producing English and Spanish silver, gold, and personal artifacts associated with Clive's cargo. The wreck is one of the best-documented EIC losses on the Cape route.

Timeline

1755 — Sails for Madras — Departs England with Clive's military chest.
1755 — Wrecked on Bird Island — Struck rocks off the South African coast.
1756 — Survivors Rescued — 23 survivors reach the mainland after seven months.
1977 — Located by Allen — South African diver locates the wreck.
1980s — Coinage Recovered — Silver, gold, and Clive-associated artifacts lifted.

Notes

Carried Robert Clive's personal military chest
23 of 270 aboard survived seven months on a barren island
One of the best-documented EIC losses on the Cape route