Atocha Solid Silver Reale Replica Pendant in SOLID 14K Gold Elaborate Bezel

Posted on September 19, 2023

Atocha Solid Silver Reale Replica Pendant Housed in SOLID 14K Gold Elaborate Bezel. This is a lovely piece that I picked up in the early 2010s for my wife while visiting family in Siesta Key, Florida. The truth about this piece? I own 4 genuine Atocha coins – yet I have to say, this replica is aesthetically far prettier. Yes, there is something to said about owning a genuine Atocha coin – BUT, often times these coins (having been submerged for so very long) are somewhat “muddy” in appearance. You often can’t make up much detail in the genuine Atocha coins – and on the ones you can? This – however – is no “thrown together” replica. This piece was designed by Paul Levandowski – of A Glimmer in the Abyss. A Glimmer in the Abyss was a local Siesta Key initiative that for some time worked to produce ultra realistic Atocha replicas. So accurate and believable were Levandowski’s reproductions that he began stamping the imitation coins with a small “copy” imprint – so as not to run into legal issues should someone try to pass one of his creations as the real thing. The coin itself in this piece is solid 925 HEAVY sterling silver. Each coin is detailed – BY HAND – to get what I believe to be a hyper realistic solid silver Atocha coin replica. The highly detailed coin is then put through a meticulous “aging” process – where the silver is allowed to oxidize, and exposed to chemicals that give the aesthetic of an age old piece of silver. This is both a painstaking, as well as time consuming process. The beauty of a replica, is that it gives you the best of the best (if done properly). A genuine Atoche reale THIS clean would cost THOUSANDS – Heck. I’ve paid arm and limb for genuine Atocha coins where you can’t really see much of anything. Sure, there is something to be said about having a piece of history – yet, I’ve received far more compliments on this piece – than I have on my genuine Atochas – simply because this coin presents like a piece of art. The detail therein on the silver imitation reale something to behold indeed. My wife and I not long ago had my brother in law over for dinner. A jeweler who has lived in Key West for most of his life, we presented this imitation Atocha during the meal – only, we led him on.. Just for laughs, to see his face, we told him it was the real deal (obviously, hence the listing title – it is not). He sat there for 20 minutes – MARVELING. I’m afraid to ask where you came up with the cash? ! After a while, he spotted the very small “copy” stamp at the reverse. Came his response. My wife and I got a good laugh, but all he wanted to know was where in the world we had gotten such an on point, flawless replica. You see – most Atocha coin replicas are cheaply made. Of steel and bronze on skimpy frames – lightweight in nature. The thick, solid 925 silver coin is HEAVY – masterfully detailed by skilled hands – and housed in an elaborate, thick, sturdy highly luminous 14K yellow gold frame. This is, in short – the best you could possibly hope for when it comes to replica Atochas. Innately valuable in material alone (there is quite a lot of 14K present on this piece, along with the sterling silver coin) it is this piece’s high level of detail, and knowledge of the originals – that makes this replica stand out from the crowd. That there is the thing. If you do not know Atocha coins well, then – you just aren’t going to produce an accurate replica. If there is one thing made clear through this coin – it is that it was designed by an individual with a close understanding of the Atocha shipwreck – and its found treasures. The replica Atocha reale housed in this pendant speaks for itself. I could sit here all day and discuss the detail therein, but – I would not be able to do it justice. I highly encourage you to spend some time looking over the above photos – looking at the unbelievable realistic nature of the solid 925 imitation Atocha reale. It speaks for itself. The replica Atocha coin, however – is only half of this pendants magic. As the gold used to house the coin is truly a work of art in and of itself. The 14K solid yellow gold wrapped around the replica coin is flawlessly composed. A THICK, rounded golden border holds the coin in place. There is ZERO bend to the heavy 14K gold whatsoever. Covering the bottom of the coin (and climbing up the right hand side) a stunning display of chunky 14K yellow gold in beautiful, creative, detailed design. A large, almost molten/liquid-like gold plaque at the bottom of the coin reads “Siesta Key, ” again the gold is thick and chunky here. The etching is DEEP into the gold, yet – doesn’t pass through. Moving to the right, two beautiful elaborately composed finitely detailed (by hand) palm trees. The palm trees are so detailed, that you can even make out the individual leaves of the trees – as well as their ribbed trunks. Again, the trees are of a thick, solid, HIGH VIBRANCY gold. I’ve always loved the way in which the palms actually stick out from the pendant itself. As well as giving this pendant a sense of depth and character – the reaching palms can be held between the fingertips. It is here that you will realize just how thick the gold used to create this piece is – as no amount of force of pressure will bend the thick palm trees sticking out from the coins side. It is worth noting that VERY few replicas are made using genuine gold. When you do find the odd Atocha replica incorporating a gold border, you’ll find that it is simply that – a border. No frills – nothing special. You just don’t see what this coin is doing. Gold that serves not just as a placeholder, but also to bring the design to the next level. The time that went into creating this pice. Its entirely handmade composition. The precious metals construction – all of these things make this Atocha reale replica the best you can get. Overall, this truly is something that you WILL not find elsewhere. I highly encourage you to look – comb the web, search wherever you can – I guarantee that this is the prettiest, most accurate, most high quality replica on the market. This piece is stamped 14K on the inside of the bail for authenticity – stamp is quite small, and enlarged in the above photos. I love this piece. And it will be a bittersweet moment when it goes out. However, I just don’t give the piece the wear it deserves (nor does my wife). After watching this coin collect dust in a jewelry box year after year – I met my breaking point. Wherever this piece goes, my hope is that it receives the same love, admiration, and care it had with us through all of the years. I will get back to you promptly. Weight: 7.29 Grams. Length Across Pendant: 2.5 cm (0.98 inches). Hanging Loop Drop: 1.4 cm (0.55 inches). Length of Coin Top to Bottom (including hanging loop) 4 cm (1.57 inches).