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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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.

HMS Tilbury

Lost: 1757
Location: Near St Esprit, Cape Breton, Canada
Coordinates: 45.6300, -60.5500
Era: British Royal Navy Losses
Coinage: milled
Discovered by: Documented in Nova Scotia archival records
Cargo: Ship's ordnance and naval stores

Royal Navy fourth-rate of Admiral Holburne's Louisbourg blockade, driven onto the Cape Breton rocks in one of the most severe Atlantic hurricanes on record.

History

HMS Tilbury was a 58-gun fourth-rate serving in Vice-Admiral Holburne's squadron blockading Louisbourg in the summer of 1757. On 24–25 September an exceptionally violent hurricane struck the fleet off Cape Breton, driving Tilbury onto the rocks. Captain Henry Barnsley and roughly 120 of his crew drowned; the surviving crew were taken prisoner by the French, who treated them well.

Recovery

The wreck site, known locally as the Tilbury Rocks near St Esprit, is documented in Nova Scotia Archives photography showing a recovered cannon. No pay-chest or specie manifest has been located for this ship's final voyage; claims of a documented treasure cargo are not supported by the primary accounts of her loss.

Timeline

1757 — With Holburne's Squadron — Blockading Louisbourg during the Seven Years' War.
1757 — Wrecked in a Historic Hurricane — Driven onto the Cape Breton coast on 24–25 September; Captain Barnsley and about 120 crew drown.
20th century–present — Site Documented — The wreck near St Esprit is recorded in Nova Scotia archival photography and storm-reconstruction research.

Notes

Wrecked in one of the most severe Atlantic hurricanes on historical record
Captain Henry Barnsley and about 120 crew drowned; survivors were taken prisoner by the French and treated well
No coin or pay-chest cargo is documented for this loss