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Treasure Ship Atocha Gold Bar

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:27,500.00 - 32,500.00 USD
Treasure Ship Atocha Gold Bar

Type and Miscellaneous 1324 Grams, 20.5 Karat (85% pure gold). 200mm x 35mm, oval but flat based. Class 4, the highest quality rating for gold bars from the treasure ship Atocha. On its base, it bears the Spanish royal tax stamp six times, it is karat stamped four times and there is an unclear mint stamp. This fabulous bar is pictured along with other Atocha treasures in the March 1987 issue of LIFE magazine's cover story, detailing the discovery. It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity From Treasure Salvors, Inc., signed by Mel Fisher attesting to the fact that this artifact was recovered from the Spanish Galleon NUESTRA SENORA DE ATOCHA, which sunk on September 6, 1622 during a raging storm.<BR><BR>The "Atocha" was one of a treasure laden fleet of 28 ships in King Philip IV's armada returning to Spain loaded with tons of gold, silver and other precious cargo. On fateful September 6, 1662 gale-force winds grounded and destroyed her and four other vessels off the coast of the Florida Keys. It is reported that 260 passengers and crew members perished. The fabulous wealth of this wreckage sat undisturbed until its discovery by Mel Fisher's team on July 20, 1985.<BR><BR>Modern undersea exploratory technology has enabled well financed teams to recover historical vessels and their hidden treasure, opportunities which were unimaginable only a quarter of a century ago. As a result, an entirely new form collectibles has emerged and boasts a huge following. Along with the countless books recently written documenting the history of the wreckages, are the artifacts themselves. Like collecting coins in date sequence, many collectors seek a representative item from different wreckages, and of course, as one the first of the huge finds, Atocha items are particularly desirable, especially large gold artifacts. This exclusive gold bar would be the cornerstone of any collection of shipwreck treasure, or it would be a glorious paperweight for the CEO of a Forbes 500 company. Estimate $27,500.00-$32,500.00