Spanish Armada pieces of eight

Spanish Armada pieces of eight

Military

These are two silver Spanish pieces of eight found in Tobermory Bay off the Isle of Mull. The coins made an unusual journey to arrive in the West Highlands. In July 1588 the Spanish launched their armada of 130 ships with the intention of invading England. After the failure of the attack storms forced the remaining ships from the Armada north and some tried to return to Spain navigating the north coast of Scotland. One of the galleons, the Florencia, sheltered in Tobermory Bay in October 1588. According to documents she carried pay chests for the Spanish army. On the point of departure from the bay, the ship was damaged by an explosion and sank 275 metres off what is now the New Pier. Attempts to salvage the treasure have been made over the years, though Sacheverell, Governor of the Isle of Man is reported to have recovered most of the lost bullion on the first salvage expedition in 1688.

Spainish

16th century

eulac3d

Physical Object

55

16/12/2020

West Highland Museum

find,56.6222848,-6.063106;

West Highlands Museum

TEXT

168

silver

576