Our Treasure of the Month for August is another in a long line of clumps, aggregates, conglomerates, and encrusted objects (EO’s) that we have showcased in the past. Found in June 2026 by the crew of the Mighty Mo, our featured treasure is a nearly fist-sized aggregate, or “clump” if you prefer, that contains a number of silver coins as well as a silver buckle.
Mike Perna (Member #217), Captain of the Mighty Mo, gave us a firsthand account of this latest recovery:
“This beautiful clump appears to be the remains of a small sack of mixed-denomination silver coins and two gold-washed silver buckles. After the storm, these belongings found their resting place on the ocean floor. As the presumably leather bag began to deteriorate, eleven of the coins and one of the two buckles managed to fall out, while the remaining coins and matching buckle fused themselves into this stunning conglomerate. Weighing just over a pound, these artifacts likely represent a common person’s or sailor’s worldly possessions acquired during their tenure in the New World. What an amazing discovery. Congratulations to the crew of the Mighty Mo.”
NOTE: Eleven other coins and an additional buckle, found at the same time, are seen in the background.
Image Credit: Mike Perna (Member #217)
Image Credit: Mike Perna (Member #217)
Below is an image of another aggregate that we featured in February 2015. It also weighs about a pound and consists of approximately one hundred one reale and half reale coins. By its shape (rounded and nearly fist-sized), these coins were most likely in a small bag when lost, much like our Treasure of the Month.
Over the years we have featured several other clumps, aggregates, conglomerates, and encrusted objects as Treasures of the Month. For more information about these items, please see February 2012, May 2014, January 2015, February 2015, October 2015, April 2018, May 2020, March 2021, November 2021, May 2022, May 2023, June 2024, and September 2024.
Special thanks to Captain Mike Perna (Member #217), who furnished the images and text for our Treasure of the Month, and to Sal Guttuso (Member #226), Director of Operations for 1715 Fleet — Queens Jewels, LLC.
