Bloomingdale Rare Coins and Gold

10/26/2025

Silver is pretty high and predicted to go higher!

Stop in to get a quote for buying or selling.

09/30/2025

https://www.1715treasurefleet.com/single-post/over-1-000-silver-and-gold-coins-recovered-from-the-1715-treasure-fleet-shipwrecks-valued-at-1-000?fbclid=IwY2xjawNJBIhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHm4ZMalbqvB3Ar3vzKYt85SlbdH4uFukyllLdDt_GNB0gEMNVOAyp02QAUsV_aem_9_s18yI9-IBB5C4qHsL7GA

Vero Beach, FL – 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC, a historic shipwrecksalvage operation that owns the exclusive salvage rights to the remains of the1715 Treasure Fleet announces remarkable archaeological and historical recoveries. Over 1000 silver coins known as Reales were recovered by Capt. Le...

09/24/2025

A dear friend of ours is working diligently to raise awareness for children's cancer after his son passed. He is a great guy and a fellow midwesterner. Please pray for him and his family. This is an interview that Fox 13 did covering his trip to DC to raise awareness for children's cancer.

If you happen to feel inclined to help him and his family honor his son, look at the two pictures attached. He is hosting a charity event at TopGolf on October 19th where we will be sponsoring a booth.

To get in touch with them

[email protected]
813-541-1688
www.logansheroes.org

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HWMMYo9LV/

09/20/2025

Here's is an intriguing watch on

It is one of the most secure structures in the world. See more in Season 1, Episode 3, "Fort Knox." Stay up to date on all of your favorite The HISTORY Chann...

09/09/2025

Silver, Gold, and Platinum have performed well over the past couple of years while Palladium has decreased in value substantially. It seems like a great time to invest in Palladium!

Pictured is a Pamp 10 ozt Palladium Lady Fortuna Bar. Stop in to see this and other neat and interesting items.

08/03/2025

Pictued here are pieces of gold recovered from the bottom of the ocean-part of the SS Central America shipwreck.

Gold Beneath the Waves: The Recovery of the SS Central America Shipwreck

In the depths of the Atlantic Ocean lies one of the most storied shipwrecks in American history—the SS Central America, often dubbed “The Ship of Gold.” Lost in a hurricane in 1857, it carried tons of California gold and more than 400 passengers to their fate. Over a century later, its rediscovery would not only recover massive wealth from the seafloor but also rewrite the history of underwater treasure hunting.

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The Ship and Its Tragic Voyage

The SS Central America was a sidewheel steamer operating between Panama and New York, transporting passengers and cargo during the height of the California Gold Rush. On September 3, 1857, it departed from Havana, Cuba, bound for New York with nearly 600 passengers and crew, along with an estimated 21 tons of gold—coins, bars, dust, and nuggets.

Just days into its voyage, the ship encountered a Category 2 hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas. After three days of battling heavy seas, the Central America was overwhelmed and sank on September 12, 1857. Around 425 people perished, and the ship’s cargo—valued at over $50 million in today’s money—was lost beneath the Atlantic.

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The Economic Aftershock

The ship’s sinking triggered panic in U.S. financial markets. The gold aboard the SS Central America had been destined for eastern banks already strained by economic instability. Its loss contributed significantly to the Panic of 1857, a major financial crisis that rippled through Wall Street and led to widespread bank failures and business collapses.

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Discovery and Recovery

For over 130 years, the SS Central America remained elusive. In the 1980s, engineer and treasure hunter Tommy Thompson led an ambitious deep-sea exploration using then-cutting-edge robotic technology. In 1988, Thompson’s team located the wreck nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) below the surface.

Using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), they began recovering artifacts in 1989, including:
• Gold bars
• Gold coins, especially 1857-S $20 Liberty Double Eagles
• Personal effects like jewelry, luggage, and clothing
• Mint shipping packets filled with untouched coin stacks

The treasure was in remarkable condition, preserved in the cold, low-oxygen environment of the deep ocean. The first major haul brought up over $100 million worth of gold.

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Legal Battles and Controversy

The story of the SS Central America didn’t end with its discovery. Legal battles erupted over ownership rights, involving dozens of insurance companies that had paid out claims after the ship’s loss in 1857. Thompson himself became embroiled in controversy for allegedly hiding proceeds from the recovery. In 2012, he disappeared and was later captured in 2015 after years on the run. As of the late 2010s, legal efforts were ongoing to recover missing gold and account for all recovered assets.

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Numismatic Treasures

Among the most prized finds were 1857-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagles, many in uncirculated or proof-like condition. These coins, now certified by grading agencies like PCGS and NGC with special “SS Central America” designations, are considered historic and numismatically significant.

Notable coin types recovered:
• 1857-S $20 Liberty Double Eagles
• $10 Eagles and $5 Half Eagles
• Gold bars from San Francisco Assayers like Kellogg & Humbert

These coins are highly collectible and often sold with authentication certificates and provenance packaging.

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A Legacy of Gold and Grit

The SS Central America shipwreck represents a dramatic convergence of American expansion, maritime tragedy, economic collapse, and modern treasure recovery. Its gold brought fortune, controversy, and fascination across centuries. Today, coins and artifacts from the ship are displayed in museums, private collections, and auctions—each telling a story not just of wealth, but of the people, places, and events tied to America’s Gold Rush era.

Stop in to see this or other neat and unique items

08/03/2025

Pictured here Is a 8 Reales dated 1780 recovered from the El Cazador shipwreck.

The El Cazador Shipwreck: A Lost Treasure That Changed History

Few shipwrecks have had as deep an impact on both numismatics and geopolitics as El Cazador, a Spanish brig that sank in the Gulf of Mexico in 1784. Its cargo? Hundreds of thousands of silver coins meant to rescue the faltering economy of Spanish Louisiana. The ship’s disappearance helped reshape North America—and two centuries later, its recovery would spark excitement across the world of coin collecting.

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A Mission of Monetary Rescue

In the late 18th century, Spain controlled vast territories in the Americas, including what is now the southern United States. Spanish Louisiana was facing economic collapse due to rampant currency shortages and the devaluation of older coins.

To stabilize the region’s currency, King Carlos III of Spain ordered a massive shipment of silver to be sent from Veracruz, Mexico, to New Orleans. The ship chosen for the mission was El Cazador (“The Hunter”), a two-masted brig loaded with over 450,000 Spanish reales—mostly 8 reales, also known as “pieces of eight.”

On January 11, 1784, El Cazador set sail for New Orleans—and was never seen again.

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A Mysterious Disappearance

When the ship vanished, it took with it the economic hopes of Spain’s North American colonies. Spanish authorities searched, but no trace of the vessel was ever found. With Louisiana’s economy still in decline, Spain struggled to maintain control of the region. By 1800, Spain had ceded Louisiana back to France—setting the stage for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, when the United States bought the territory from Napoleon.

Had El Cazador safely delivered its cargo, the economic and political fate of North America might have looked very different.

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The Shipwreck Discovered

For more than 200 years, the fate of El Cazador remained a mystery. Then, in August 1993, a fishing trawler named the Mistake, operating off the coast of Louisiana, hauled in something extraordinary: a mass of silver coins tangled in the ship’s net. The crew had accidentally discovered the wreck of El Cazador at a depth of about 300 feet.

Marine salvage teams later explored the site, retrieving chests and scattered coins in remarkably well-preserved condition. Many were silver 8 reales minted in Mexico City, dated between 1779 and 1783, bearing the likeness of King Carlos III.

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The Coins of El Cazador

Today, the recovered coins—often called “El Cazador shipwreck coins”—are prized by collectors for their historical significance and provenance.

Key Features:
• Denomination: Mostly 8 reales, some 4, 2, and 1 reales
• Metal: Silver (approx. 90%)
• Mint: Mexico City Mint (Mintmark: “Mo”)
• Date Range: Primarily 1779–1783
• Obverse: Portrait of King Charles III
• Reverse: Spanish coat of arms and denomination

Many coins exhibit ocean wear, toning, or saltwater corrosion, but plenty remain in Fine to Extremely Fine condition. Each comes with a certificate of authenticity, and some are still sold in sealed display holders identifying them as part of the El Cazador hoard.

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Legacy of a Lost Galleon

The El Cazador shipwreck is more than a tale of sunken treasure—it’s a chapter in the history of the Americas. Its loss contributed to geopolitical shifts that led to U.S. expansion and forever altered the map of North America. For collectors, owning a coin from El Cazador is not just about the silver—it’s about holding a tangible link to a forgotten voyage that changed the course of history.

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Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or a history buff, El Cazador coins offer a rare opportunity: the chance to hold in your hand a piece of the 18th century—and a shipwreck that helped shape the modern world.

Stop in to see this or other neat and unique items.

08/03/2025

Pictured here is an 1890-S Morgan Dollar from the Redfield coin hoard.

The Redfield Silver Dollar Collection: A Hidden Treasure in American Numismatics

In the world of rare coin collecting, few stories are as captivating as that of the Redfield Silver Dollar Collection. Unearthed after the death of a wealthy recluse in Reno, Nevada, the Redfield hoard remains one of the largest and most intriguing silver dollar discoveries in American history.

A Reclusive Millionaire and His Hidden Wealth

LaVere Redfield (1897–1976) was a man of strong convictions and deep distrust—particularly toward banks and the federal government. A self-made millionaire through stock market investments and real estate, Redfield believed in hard assets, and silver was his medium of choice. Over several decades, he quietly amassed an enormous collection of silver dollars, often buying them by the bag directly from banks. He reportedly preferred silver over paper currency due to concerns about inflation and government overreach.

Redfield stored his hoard in the most unassuming way imaginable: in his home’s basement behind a false wall, using old crates, sacks, and other containers. Visitors to his modest Reno home would have had no idea that hundreds of thousands of dollars in silver coins lay hidden beneath their feet.

The Discovery

When Redfield passed away in 1976, his estate was appraised—and what they found stunned even the most seasoned collectors. More than 400,000 silver dollars, primarily Morgan dollars (minted from 1878 to 1921), were recovered from his home. The coins were in exceptional condition, with many showing minimal signs of handling or wear. Some estimates placed the total value at the time between $6 and $7 million.

A-Mark Coin Company, a major bullion and numismatic firm, purchased the entire hoard for $7.3 million and began the task of sorting, grading, and distributing the coins to collectors across the country.

What Makes the Redfield Hoard Special?

Several factors contribute to the legendary status of the Redfield Silver Dollar Collection:
• Quantity and Condition: Over 400,000 coins, many of them in mint state (MS63–MS66+).
• Desirable Dates and Mints: Numerous coins from the Carson City Mint (CC), such as the 1878-CC, 1882-CC, and 1884-CC Morgans, were found in high grades.
• Provenance and Packaging: A-Mark sold many of the coins in specially labeled “Redfield” holders, which today carry a premium due to their historical significance.
• Cultural Impact: The hoard helped spur a nationwide silver dollar collecting boom in the late 1970s and brought renewed attention to the Morgan dollar series.

Numismatic Value Today

Redfield coins remain highly sought after, especially those still housed in their original holders. While the coins themselves may not always be rare by date or mintmark, their connection to the Redfield story adds a layer of allure that collectors find irresistible.

Certified Redfield coins from grading services like NGC and PCGS often note the provenance on the label, further boosting their desirability and market value.

A Lasting Legacy

The Redfield Silver Dollar Collection is more than just a large cache of coins; it’s a testament to one man’s eccentric faith in silver and an enduring symbol of the treasures that can lie hidden in plain sight. For collectors, owning a piece of the Redfield hoard is like holding a tangible piece of American numismatic folklore.

Stop in to see this coin or other neat and unique pieces.

03/01/2025

It has been a while since I have posted because the shop has become increasingly busier, especially as "things" seem to become more and more uncertain. I have been working 10-11 hour days 5 days a week to keep up with the flow. With that being said, there is always time in the day to give young collectors a private tour with an education included.

The customers have been supporting the business since day one when it opened 4 years ago. They wanted to bring their grandchildren in for a tour on a "day off". So, we set the shop up just for their grandchildren and gave a little 30 minute tour. It is a coin shop owners responsibility to educate the public about numismatics to keep the hobby alive. It feels more important than ever to do so as we continue to move towards a cashless society.

Coin collecting has brought much joy and meaning to my life since I was about 6 years old or so. It has been a way for my great grandfather and my father and I to bond and spend countless hours together searching and learning. Coins are a great way to learn about history, spend time with people of the same interests, and invest money for long term appreciation.

If you have any questions about coins, bullion, or jewelry feel free to reach out. (It may take a few days for us to get back but we are more than happy to assist).

02/10/2025

Are we scrapping the penny? Does it make cents?

President Trump isn't the first politician to call for the end of the penny — but getting rid of it may not be easy. The value of the 1-cent coin has been debated for decades.

11/16/2024

Take a look at the all new, just released, gold flowing hair dollar!

The 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair High Relief Gold Coin pays homage to the Flowing Hair dollar coin, issued in 1794 as America’s first dollar coin. Learn mo...

08/02/2024

The best documentary on gold!!

Gold has fueled the global economy for centuries. Prized by kings, gods and industrialists, the history of gold is also the history of humanity.If you're a h...