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Pirate Treasure – Economic Warfare on the High SeasPirate treasure was traditionally lost from ships whose misfortune was to meet sea-going men of action like Sir Francis Drake, or outlaws like Henry Morgan or Edward Teach (aka “Blackbeard”).Surprisingly, not all "piracy" was illegal, at least as far as sponsoring governments were concerned. Sponsoring governments? From the 16th to 18th centuries, ships of nations opposed in war were fair game for “privateers” – privately owned ships commissioned by a government to prey upon the merchant shipping of its opponents, for a share of the captured cargo. When peace was achieved among the warring nations of the privateers, many of them, having developed a taste for their occupation, continued on as unsponsored pirates. Spanish treasure ships were especially at risk from English privateers and outright pirates in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic trading routes. As most of the money encountered in the New World was coined under Spanish authority in Central and South America, the coins susceptible to pirate capture would most commonly be silver “pieces of eight” and gold four and eight escudo coins – doubloons. However the coins of Britain, France and Holland were also in circulation. The careers of these daring swashbucklers, together with the coins and other valuable objects they acquired, have an appreciative audience among collectors. What could be better than possessing a coin that circulated in the mean streets and alleys of Port Royal? Now... learn more about pieces of eight. Then set sail with Sir Francis Drake, Henry Morgan, and Blackbeard. And while you’re at it, drop anchor at Port Royal, Jamaica (if you dare).
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