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.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe & Conde de Tolosa

Lost: 1724
Location: Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic
Coordinates: 19.2000, -69.3000
Era: Spanish Colonial – Late Period
Coinage: cob
Discovered by: Tracey Bowden / Caribe Salvage
Recovery: 1976
Cargo: Mercury flasks, Spanish colonial silver, Devotional objects

Twin Spanish azogues (mercury ships) wrecked in a hurricane in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic, on their way to deliver mercury to the New World silver refineries.

History

The Guadalupe and Tolosa were azogues — specially built ships that carried mercury from Spain to the New World, where it was essential for the amalgamation process used to refine Peruvian and Mexican silver. On 24–25 August 1724 both ships were driven into Samaná Bay by a hurricane and wrecked. Conde de Tolosa sank with catastrophic loss of life — roughly 600 of an estimated 614 aboard drowned — while Guadalupe ran aground nearby with far lighter casualties, around 80 dead.

Recovery

Salvor Tracey Bowden located both wrecks in the mid-1970s under agreement with the Dominican government. Recoveries included mercury flasks, silver, personal effects, and devotional medallions; a substantial portion is on display at the Museo de las Casas Reales in Santo Domingo.

Timeline

1724 — Sails from Cádiz — Two azogues bound for Veracruz with mercury.
1724 — Wrecked in Samaná Bay — Both driven ashore by a hurricane on 24–25 August; Tolosa loses ~600 of ~614 aboard, Guadalupe ~80.
1976 — Rediscovered — Salvor Tracy Bowden recovers 7,499 objects from Guadalupe.
1994–1995 — Archaeological Documentation — A Spanish-led team records the surviving hull remains.

Notes

Both ships carried mercury — the metal that made New World silver refining possible
Conde de Tolosa lost roughly 600 of her ~614 aboard; Guadalupe lost roughly 80
Recovered artifacts are displayed at the Museo de las Casas Reales in Santo Domingo