Shipwreck Treasure
[off Key West, FL], ca. 1622
17th C. Caribbean Shipwreck! Ltd. Ed. "Nuestra Se?ora de Atocha" Mini Silver Ingot, 22 Gr.
Other

A limited edition miniature silver ingot, #975/1445, excavated from the shipwrecked Spanish treasure galleon "Nuestra Se?ora de Atocha," which foundered off Key West in 1622. Part of the "Atocha Mini Ingot Collectors Set, Edition II," one of 1455 miniature ingots fashioned from the second large silver ingot retrieved by underwater treasure hunter Mel Fisher (1922-1998) at the underwater site in 1985. On the obverse is found several engravings corresponding to historical silver markings; on the reverse is the limited edition serial number. The miniature ingot measures approximately 1.75" x .375" x .375" and weighs 22 grams. Accompanied by paperwork including a photocopy of an original and possibly non-corresponding COA and Explanation Sheet.

Mel Fisher, a former chicken farmer, established one of the first scuba diving shops in the United States in the early 1950s. His passion for scuba diving quickly expanded into salvage recovery and exploration. Fisher teamed up with local treasure hunters in the early 1960s to determine the exact site of the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet shipwreck. In 1985, Fisher began excavating the wreck of the "Nuestra Se?ora de Atocha." This had been part of a Spanish-bound treasure convoy laden with precious metals, gems, and valuable trade goods from South America and Cuba which sank in a major hurricane in early September 1622. The haul from the so-called "Atocha Motherlode" was extensive; it contained approximately 40 tons of gold and silver, Colombian emeralds, ceramics, bronze cannons, and other artifacts estimated at $450 million.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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1.75" x .375" x .375"
Provenance information includes photocopies of a Certificate of Authenticity issued by R&R Marketing, Inc.; and an Explanation Sheet providing an overview of Spanish imperial silver markings.