One of the reasons coin collecting is such an exciting and popular hobby is that it gives people the chance to come into contact with history. If you’re lucky and do your research carefully, you might come across items from the ruins of Rome or even ones from shipwrecks. But what exactly is a coin with shipwreck effect, and how is it graded? Below, the team at Collector’s Palace Coin & Jewelry of Streetsboro, OH, answers these questions.

What Is a Shipwreck Coin?

Simply put, these were discovered in a treasure trove that went down with a historical ship. For many people, Spanish galleons are the first type that come to mind when they think of the coins commonly retrieved by professional divers. However, there are numerous ones from other nations as well, including England, France, and Portugal. The Spanish ones are often the most popular because this nation actively mined in the countries it colonized, like Mexico. “Shipwreck effect” is the term professionals give to coins that came from sunken vessels because they sometimes still bear the physical effects of having been underwater.

How Is It Graded?

The gradation depends on what the item is made out of. Gold is not affected by seawater and shouldn’t show any signs of having been in a sunken ship for centuries. Thus, it’s usually graded with its location mentioned as a mere note of interest.

Silver, on the other hand, will show signs of oxidation. As such, it usually has a shipwreck effect designation ranging from A to D, with the former being the least amount of degradation and D being the most. To ensure you are purchasing a coin that truly came from a shipwreck, you should also check for the “genuine” stamp, which signifies its historical origins are confirmed.

Ready to add to your coin collection? Collector's Palace Coin & Jewelry is open seven days a week and offers a wide inventory of authenticated items. They’re also happy to purchase unwanted gold and silver from their customers for a fair price. To learn more about their services, call (330) 626-2464 or visit them online.