1715 FLEET GOLD & CORAL ROSARY w/ CROSS (with 2 COA’s: Original Real Eight COA (hand signed by L.B. Taylor) and well known Archeologist James Sinclair. Mel Fisher’s Archeologist (known best for both the Atocha & 1715 FLEET Treasure Hunters). Top Archeologist “James Sinclair” COA (Certificate of Authenticity) is also included. James Sinclair was also the Archeologist on the recent History Channel show “Cooper’s Treasure.” He was on the last episode in 2017 when they found “Christopher Columbus’ Anchor” in the Turks – Cacaos (yes literally Christopher Columbus’ anchor from original voyage (Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria). He was recently featured fall of 2019 on episode of “Expeditions Unknown,” while new discoveries of lost Galleons from the 1715 FLEET.
We’ve also posted a Video showing the discovery of several Rosaries enclosed in the “Golden Box,” (see above e pics) along with some Gold / Gemstone Rings (Travel Channel 2003), story below. 1
This completely intact Rosary is approx. 33” long (total) and weighs approx. 22.5gm, it’s made up of 57 (approx. 5mm) spherical hand shaped Coral Beads (known at the time as “5 decades of Coral beads”) and 13 Mesh inserts (approx. 10mm). The PURE GOLD CROSS (approx. 22kt, same as mesh inserts) with ornate axis is approx. (2.25” x 1 3/16”). (the last Photo in the Gallery shots is for reference of other 1715 Fleet Gold Mesh inserts Religious Artifacts)
The Golden Box was discovered near Wabasso, FL (near Turtle Trail) by Mike Maguire (as seen in Travel Channel episode). This Rosary is Religious Jewel. It was believed that Red Coral was a popular constituent and protected against magic spells, going back to Greek mythology, they gave red coral’s it’s origin as “the spurts of Blood that gushed forth when Medusa’s head was cut off by Perseus.” These Rosaries were very popular with SPANISH ROYALS (such as QUEEN JOANNA (JUANA LA LOCA) and were highly prized by Royalty! This VERY ROSARY could very well have been destined for the New Queen (Elizabeth Farnese) King Phiiip’s (V) new Queen, as Philip need a new Queen’s Dowry, required by Elizabeth in order to Consummate the Marriage. Obviously these jewels never made it, but she married him irregardless and provided 7 children (see below for complete 1715 FLEET historical summary). Of course much of the Gold and jewels on these Fleets also belonged to the Church, so this piece may very well have belonged to a Priest or Bishop and or even the Church itself. However, it should be noted much of the “Queen’s Jewel’s” (incredible diamond brooches and earrings) have been recovered near this same area of the Golden Box & Rosary (and rings).
There are known to be perhaps 3 or 4 alike Rosary from the 1715 FLEET in total of which 2 or 3 are reported to have been discovered in the GOLDEN BOX and therefore the Coral beads are NOT oxidized and corroded with barnacles (as the others seem to be), one of which has even been graffitied on the Crucifix, leaving this Very piece to be in the BEST CONDITION our research has uncovered. This piece is similar to the Rosary sold by Christie’s 1988 auction (lot 155), where it sold for $154,000.00
