Lot 963

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Description:

RMS Douro shipwreck coins 1787 gold 6400 Reis
1861 gold Sovereign
1872 gold Sovereign
1874 gold Sovereign
1875 gold Sovereign
1864 silver 500 Reis
1866 silver 1000 Reis
1870 silver 1000 Reis
1875 silver 2000 Reis
gold dust flask, in fitted case. (cased set)

Provenance: Columbia, South Carolina private collection.

Other Notes: Discovery and Salvage of the Douro:
The Douro was carrying nearly 30,000 gold and silver coins, as well as passengers. The entire cargo sank with the ship to the bottom of the Bay of Biscay, and for nearly 60 years nothing else was heard of the Douro and her fabulous treasure. But in 1949 Thomas Pickford, a shipwreck researcher, hastily scribbled a note that read, "Douro, 1882, 53,000 GBP, Bay of Biscay." At that time the thought of recovering a cargo of gold from inside a collapsed and rusting iron hull 1,500 feet beneath the surface of the sea was considered impossible, so Pickford set the note aside and forgot about it.

Thirty years later his son Nigel Pickford discovered the note. Fascinated by the story of the Douro and its priceless cargo, the younger Pickford spent the next 13 years researching old newspaper articles, log books, company directories, reports, drawings, personal records, banking records and ancient sea charts. By means of careful analysis of statements made by witnesses and survivors - combined with detailed calculations on speed, route and times of departures - Pickford and salvage specialist Sverker Hallstrom determined an initial search area of 150 square miles. Ignoring a rumor that another salvage team had located the Douro and had reported that the wreck was in too poor a condition for any salvage attempt, Hallstrom set sail in search of the Douro on June 4, 1993.

    Condition:
  • *** Notice to bidders: The absence of a condition report does not imply that an object is free of defects or restoration. All lots are sold 'As Is' and in accordance with the Conditions of Sale. Condition reports and additional photographs are provided by request as a courtesy to our clients. Condition reports are not to be considered substitutes for physical examination by you and/or your advisors. Charlton Hall's specialists are not trained professional conservators or restorers; we urge you to inspect each lot yourself or have your agent do so on your behalf. Prospective buyers should satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charlton Hall Galleries, Inc., or its specialists is merely a subjective opinion, notwithstanding written reports or any discussion concerning condition in this catalogue. Prospective buyers should bear in mind that these reports will not disclose any imperfections which may only be revealed during the course of subsequent restoration and/or repair. Buyers are reminded that Charlton Hall Galleries' warranties with respect to property are limited as set forth in our Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Condition reports are provided by request on a 'first come, first served' basis. Requests submitted close to or during the auction may not be completed.

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June 17, 2012 1:00 PM EDT
West Columbia, SC, US

Charlton Hall

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 + $5,000