The Ultimate Guide on How to Verify the Authenticity of Atocha Coins

Before we address how to verify the authenticity of Atocha coins, it would be helpful to take a step back and discuss exactly what an Atocha coin is, including the coin’s history. The Atocha was a Spanish galleon that contained a wealth of New World treasures on its way to Spain in 1622 when a hurricane struck and sank the ship off of the coast of Florida. While the government of Spain made efforts to find the location of the Atocha, these attempts proved futile until 1985. This was the year that Mel Fisher and his crew found the vessel and began to sell the treasure found onboard the ship. The Atocha coins are among these treasures and not surprisingly, numerous counterfeiters have produced replica versions in an attempt to cash in on their high value. Whether your primary agenda as a coin collector is to buy or sell silver coins, such as the Atocha silver coins, it’s important to become familiar with the details of these coins:

Thoroughly inspect the coin. Look for signs that the coin may be a replica, such as modern script or font on the coin. If you find any, this is a red flag that the coin may be counterfeit. If the surface of the coin is grainy, this could be due to sand casting, which is often performed to give recently produced coins an old or ancient appearance. The features of the coin may also be smooth molded. If the date is anytime after 1622, you can know for certain that the coin is not a genuine Atocha coin.

Use visual aids. While the previous steps can be undertaken with the naked eye, some imperfections can only be seen with visual aids such as a jeweler’s loupe, microscope, or magnifying glass. With the use of any of these, carefully examine the coin for obvious signs of alteration such as casting bubbles, plating wear, or lines that shouldn’t be there. Keep in mind that genuine Atocha coins were manufactured using solid gold and silver bars and thus, they shouldn’t show any signs of plating, bubbles, or lines on the edge of the coins.

Familiarize yourself with authentic Atocha coins. Once you are fully acquainted with the design of the Atocha coins and become familiar with the details, you’ll be able to identify when a certain detail is missing or out of place. Ask for a certificate of authenticity from Treasure Salvors, Inc. signed by Mel Fisher to ensure the authenticity of the coin when making a purchase. Whether you’re interested in buying or selling silver coins, following the above tips on how to verify the authenticity of the coins should help to improve your chances of success. When in doubt, seek the assistance of a coin dealer. Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers