The Real Story Behind Pieces of Eight and Pirate Treasure

The Spanish piece of eight was the first truly global currency, minted from silver mined by enslaved people in Mexico and Peru. Pirates coveted these coins above all others.

The coin could be cut into eight bits, giving us two bits for a quarter. The Manila Galleons carried pieces of eight across the Pacific.

Shipwrecks containing millions in silver coins are still being discovered today..