The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 27, July 3, 2005, Article 12

SPANISH SHIPWRECK LOOTED

According to a June 27th story in the Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Philippine museum officials "found out too late that fishermen on
Rapu-Rapu Island had discovered late last year a sunken
Spanish galleon that contained gold and silver coins, jars and
other valuable treasures.

More than a thousand 17th- and 18th-century Spanish coins
were recovered from the wreckage but only fewer than 20
pieces could be left because the fishermen had quietly sold the
items to treasure hunters and collectors, Legazpi Museum
curator Erlinda Belleza said, citing a report by two residents
of Barangay Viga in Rapu-Rapu."

"The business was so brisk and profitable that fisherfolk in
Barangay Viga and neighboring villages temporarily stopped
fishing.

Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean and Filipino businessmen and
collectors coming from Manila had frequented the village to
buy as many coins and other items as possible, the two
whistle-blowers said. The price of each coin ranged from
P6,000 to P10,000."

"Out of curiosity, Charles said he bought four gold and five
silver coins, which he believed were the only ones left of the
old Spanish coins recovered from the sunken galleon."

"The four gold coins were dated 1862, 1863 (two pieces)
and 1868, while the five silver coins were dated 1792, 1801,
1867, 1882 and 1887."

"Historians and anthropologists, both here and abroad, have
considered Rapu-Rapu Island a sanctuary for galleons, based
on historical documents provided by the Legazpi Museum.

Due to strong waves from the Pacific Ocean, many Spanish
galleons coming from Sorsogon found Rapu-Rapu a safe
haven for their voyage to other parts of Albay. But some of
them reportedly sank off the coast of Rapu-Rapu.

"So, most likely, there are still many treasures left. That's why
we are asking for the expertise of the National Museum on
this matter before it's too late," Belleza said."

To read the full story, see: Full Story

[I'm not sure how many "galleons" sailed the high seas after
1887, but it seems the fishermen made a significant find.
It's a shame the underwater archaeological site was disturbed
and the coins dispersed. Had any of our readers gotten word
of this source of shipwreck coins? -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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