A Rare Treasure Trove of Artifacts Recovered from the Ruins of Port Royal, Jamaica

The town of Port Royal, Jamaica was the true "Pirate City" which sunk into the sea in a devastating 1692 earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. Originally founded in 1518 as a colony of Spain, the site was captured by the British in 1655 and grew quickly in size to a population of 6500 people and 2000 buildings all crammed into the small town. It was populated primarily by pirates and privateers who used it as a safe-haven between raiding excursions, and the community of nefarious businesses that supported them. The town was also home to the famous pirate Sir Henry Morgan who actually in 1673 became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. The hundreds of taverns and brothels were legendary for their excessive consumption of alcohol and other debauchery. It was the “wickedest city in the world” and many people felt it was divine retribution for the city to literally be washed away from the surface of the earth. Port Royal artifacts are extremely rare and hardly ever come available so this is a fantastic opportunity to acquire some authentic artifacts from this infamous pirate city.

See More: All Shipwreck and "Pirate" Coins for Sale

Rare silver Spanish coin found in the ruins of Port Royal. Dated 1791 it was struck after the city was destroyed, but during the time that pirates continued to frequent the port as a safe-harbor. The coin depicts right facing bust of Carlos IV of Spain, with legend CAROLS IIII DEI GRATIA 1791 / Spanish royal coat-of-arms between two pillars. Diameter 17mm (5/8 inch), weighs 1.51 grams. It was recovered from between the floorboards in a circa 1600’s stone building on the waterfront which was torn down in the 1950’s. This coin was in the collections of the Port Royal museum on the island which closed down and their collections sold to pay off debts in a period of few visitors to the island. Many artifacts from their collection was purchased by Joseph Becker, a retired US Navy diver who spent years diving the ruins of the old port. The coin is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, as well as signed Joseph Becker letter. ex-Joseph Becker collection; ex Virginia private collection. #CS2573: $160 SOLD

See Also: Inexpensive Spanish Copper "Pirate" Coins!
(Found in Spain, not from Port Royal)

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Related topics: authentic Port Royal artifacts for sale, Port Royal pirate city, authentic pirate artifact for sale, genuine pirate coins for sale, Port Royal Jamaica relics

Port Royal: The Sunken City

Excellent book by the man who once owned
some of the relics offered here!


Small caliber lead pistol shot recovered from the submerged ruins of Port Royal. A true pirate bullet. It appears to have been used as it is flattened on two sides! Diameter 14mm (9/16 inch). Nice gray patina. It was found submerged in the ruins of the sunken pirate city. This came from the collection of a 94 year-old Jamaican resident whose father was a close friend and diver alongside the famous Sir Robert F. Marx during their three year excavation of the sunken city in the early 1960’s. Marx devoted much of his life to exploring the sunken city, and wrote over 60 books and articles on the topic. From the collection of a close personal friend of Marx; ex Katy, TX private collection. Incredibly rare! #CS2580: SOLD

Copper Pirate coin recovered from the submerged ruins of Port Royal. A copper “cob” struck under Philippe III of Spain, c. 1598-1621. It depicts a castle on one side, and a lion on the other, mostly worn away from age. Diameter: 16mm (5/8 inch). It was found submerged in the ruins of the sunken pirate city. This came from the collection of a 94 year-old Jamaican resident whose father was a close friend and diver alongside the famous Sir Robert F. Marx during their three year excavation of the sunken city in the early 1960’s. Marx devoted much of his life to exploring the sunken city, and wrote over 60 books and articles on the topic. From the collection of a close personal friend of Marx; ex Katy, TX private collection. #CS2578: SOLD