1808 Shipwreck Coin

[rbrown4]

On January 25, 1809, the Admiral Gardner set sail through the English Channel, headed for India. Shorly into the journey off the coast of Dover a sudden violent storm hit. The ship ran aground on the Goodwin Sands and in less than 24 hours had sunk claiming the lives of four crew members and a cargo of 1808 coins. The coins were minted in Birmingham, England for use by the East India Company in the Madras Presidency. The obverse of the coins had the East India Company arms. The motto underneath translates to read, "Under the Patronage of the King and Parliament of England." The reverse of the coins are inscribed in Persian and translate, to read, "Ten Cash ar eequal to Two Falus" There were two denominations "tens" and "twenties" noted by either an X or XX. The one shown here is a "ten".

 

Any ideas or opinions on steps to take to legitimately improve the condition, appearance of the coin?

 

Thanks,

 

Rey

 

 

[satootoko]

Can you spell Enn See Ess?

[bsshog40]

My sentiments exactly Rey. Looks like a job for NCS. Cool story and coin.

[gmarguli]

I'm not sure it is worth a trip to NCS. These coins can be had in shiny condition for under $10. Even the nice slabbable ones do not sell for catalog.

[rbrown4]

Thanks for the input, it was a very inexpensive purchase apparently 10 to 15 years ago, more so an interesting piece in the collection, perhaps some olive oil would improve it somewhat.

 

Rey

[physics-fan3.14]

"It's alive..."

 

Cool history, cool coin, but it needs some help.

[crito]

Yeah, the history of capitalist monopolies and the opium trade...