This authentic 1782 Spanish Silver 2 Reales was recovered from the ill-fated brig of war, El Cazador (The Hunter). Struck at the Mexico City Mint, this coin was part of a massive treasure intended to stabilize the economy of the Spanish Louisiana Territory. Its loss at sea in 1784 set off a chain of events that eventually led Spain to cede the territory to France, paving the way for the Louisiana Purchase and the expansion of the United States.
