On Thursday, April 10, author and shipwreck enthusiast Brian Magrane will share his knowledge of Florida shipwreck treasure and the art of “reading” Spanish 17th- and 18th-century coins. Magrane’s lecture, “Florida Shipwreck Treasure Coins,” is part of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Distinguished Speaker Series. The talk takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St.
Historic coins provide vital clues to world events and alliances. The symbolism stamped on both sides of European coins is imperative to archeologists’ understanding of particular time periods, turbulent political landscapes and the history of submerged artifacts. Magrane will analyze his own coin collection, which consists of coins struck in South America that were loaded onto ships bound for Spain. He will concentrate on the shipwreck treasures of both the Nuestra Señora de Atocha of the 1622 fleet and the vast gold coins of the 1715 fleet.
Magrane is an Islamorada-based physician and is the author of “Tortugas Deep-Sea: The Story of a Merchant Ship.” In addition to being an author, he is an avid shipwreck coin collector. He became fascinated by Florida’s sunken treasures and has been heavily involved in maritime heritage projects and shipwreck treasure research.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Magrane as April’s distinguished speaker. We had the pleasure of hosting him three years ago to speak on a different shipwreck topic,” said Cori Convertito, curator for the society. “He is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker who is well acquainted with coin reading, as well as being conversant in the Spanish treasure fleets, the shipwrecks themselves and subsequent salvage efforts.”Tickets are $13 for KWAHS members, $17 for non-members. More information is at kwahs.org/whats-on or from Cori Convertito on 305-295-6616 x507 or cconvertito@kwahs.org. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the event.
