In 1622 the Portuguese Royal Treasure Ship São José was ambushed off the coast of Africa by the British and the Dutch. Aboard the ship was Francisco da Gama, great grandson of the fabled Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. In her hold was a fortune in coins destined to finance Portugal’s India colonies. She was captured by her enemies, but before her precious cargo could be removed, she sank to the bottom of the Indian Ocean. Found 383 years later, divers were astonished to find her hold contained numerous coins recognized as great rarities by numismatists. We are pleased to be able to offer you coins from both the Old World and New World, now released from her hold nearly four centuries later, for today’s collectors to enjoy, cherish and pass on to future generations.