In the current Heritage Auctions, connoisseurs and collectors of treasures from the deep sea are eagerly following a lot that inspires admiration and only - a silver bar from the ship Atocha, from the reign of Philip IV. The bid for this lot has already reached $32,000.
Lot description:
The silver bar of the famous vessel Nuestra Señora de Atocha has impressive characteristics:
- The weight of this bar is 62 troy pounds and 11.20 troy ounces (+- 23.44 kg).
- It is marked IIUCCCLXXX (2380/2400; 99.16% pure silver), number 1314, tax stamps and owner/carrier marks.
- The dimensions of the ingot are 382x122x67 mm.
This unique bar has unusual markings that attract the attention of connoisseurs. It bears the following markings and labels:
- Three Quinto Hallmarks: These hallmarks likely indicate that a third of the bar was owned by the crown, with the remaining two thirds owned by private owners or investors. This is a common marking on treasure bars from ships of that era.
- Carrier's "A": The bar has an "A" which is the mark of the carrier or custodian of the bar. Interestingly, it is engraved with several small rectangular hallmarks, which may differ from the usual "A" markings and make this bar more unique.
- Letter "V" in corner: This "V" refers to the silversmith Jacob de Vreder, who was probably responsible for the quality and standards of the silver used for the bar.
- "EA" monogram: This "EA" monogram indicates the sender of the bar, in this case, "A. de Aguirre for H. de Almonte". This is information about who sent or transported this ingot.
- Additional Monogram or Cross: The bar also has another monogram or cross that does not appear to be mentioned in the Spanish Treasure Bars catalogue.
This lot comes with a Treasure Salvors 85A-S485 certificate.
History of the ship "Nuestra Señora de Atocha":
"Nuestra Señora de Atocha" was the admiral's galleon of the Tierra Firme Fleet, consisting of twenty-eight ships carrying unseen treasures from America.
Departing from Havana for Spain on September 4, 1622, the armada fell into a powerful hurricane disaster in the Florida Keys, where most of the fleet was destroyed and the treasure went to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Spanish efforts to salvage the precious cargo were unsuccessful, causing the treasure to be scattered along the coast of Florida by subsequent hurricanes.
Atocha's initial figures were impressive: 24 tons of silver in 1,038 bars, 180,000 pesos in silver coins, 582 copper bars, 125 gold bars and discs, 1,200 pounds of silverware and other goods. And this is only what was officially transported, but smuggling for tax evasion was very common during that period. Some publications even claim that much of the shipment was illegal.
In 1969, treasure hunter Mel Fisher began a long 16-year treasure hunt. Years of searching have unearthed isolated coins and artifacts scattered throughout the Florida Treasury, and many have been given to the investors who funded the operation.
Sources:
alchetron.com
wikipedia.org
