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Large Potosi silver ingot, 90 lb 7.36 oz troy, Class Factor 0.9 (should be 1.0), dated 1622, from th

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Shipwreck Ingots Start Price:35,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Large Potosi silver ingot, 90 lb 7.36 oz troy, Class Factor 0.9 (should be 1.0), dated 1622, from th
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Large Potosi silver ingot, 90 lb 7.36 oz troy, Class Factor 0.9 (should be 1.0), dated 1622, from the Atocha (1622). 13-1/2" x 5-1/4" x 3-1/2". One of the most impressively marked bars we have seen, with all the markings required for Class Factor 1.0 visible, including manifest number IUCXXVII (1127) to right of foundry/date Po1622 (mentioned on the certificate), fineness IIUCCCLXXX (2380/2400) followed by faint assayer cartouche (probably MEXIA), 2 or 3 faint tax stamps, 2 small V's for silvermaster de Vreder, and a veritable wealth of large owner/shipper monograms (known as siglas), including a rather intricate one for "A. de Saldana to M. Santos" at one end that was engraved over an earlier mark (sort of a CA monogram), with second silvermaster mark over top of it as if to say "change OK." At the other end, the B-shaped sigla was attributed by Craig and Richards (Spanish Treasure Bars, 2003) to B. de Conay, curiously not mentioned on the manifest for this bar. More toward the middle, and in fact superimposed on the foundry/date cartouche, is an E-shaped sigla (name unknown). Also prominent is the usual double-scoop "bite" (assayer's test) in the middle. The sides are rather rough (as made) and show embedded pieces of charcoal. Apart from some very light surface corrosion, this is without a doubt one of the more interesting bars we have handled, well worth a premium over less well-marked specimens. From the Atocha (1622), with original Fisher certificate #85A-S761.