Kristofer Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 While looking around at some really neat Spanish reales that were from a sunken ship off of the coast of Florida, I stumbled upon the opportunity to tough the oldest bar of silver that I probably will ever touch again. here's the picture. I believe this is off of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha which sunk in 1622. Absolutely fantastic experience! Here's the story about the Atocha: Here are a few pictures of the 80 oz Bar I saw also! COA for 80 oz Bar: Another Large Silver Bar, but I'm not sure how large: And here are a few gold bars: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwing Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Is there some kind of writing on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Is there some kind of writing on it? Yes I believe they were Spanish Tax stamps. I could be incorrect but that is what I remember. I will have to look at some more photos. I'm sure I took more of it from different angles. I also got a picture of an 80 oz bar too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwing Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Yes I believe they were Spanish Tax stamps. I could be incorrect but that is what I remember. I will have to look at some more photos. I'm sure I took more of it from different angles. I also got a picture of an 80 oz bar too! Neat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gxseries Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 What do you mean it's off topic It's a perfect example of what kind of currency that could have been used for coinages Awesome and thanks for sharing the photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 That is absolutely cool. Very exciting to see and touch something so old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I don't think I'll ever forget it. My trip to St. Augustine really sparked a far greater love for the historic significance of our hobby. That is absolutely cool. Very exciting to see and touch something so old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtryka Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I was in St. Augustine last February and it was a wonderful place! The old fort was very cool, though if I'd known where the treasure was I surely would have stopped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haidee Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 wow! cool! thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiho Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 I have seen and handled 100 ounce bars of silver but never anything that old. Cool photo, thanks for posting it. Nice watch too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hussulo Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Very cool, thanks for sharing. I'd be interested to see more photos of it if you have any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 I've added a bunch more photos and information for anyone who might be interested. Cheers -Kristofer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Nice photos and a very interesting visit. St. Augustine is a wonderful city. There are many old sites to visit and the atmosphere is superb. Flagler college is in the heart of downtown St. Augustine and always an interesting spot. There's also a nice museum in Key West dedicated to Treasure Hunting. Mel Fisher started it. Lots of treasure from shipwrecks there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cestrin Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks for the pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostDutchman Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 those 80 oz bars are available in the gift shop.... kidding... while the treasure is neat to look at... there is a lot of shady dealings that go along with that particular treasure... pieces people bought as shipwreck pieces for 50 times more then they were worth because of the provenance to later learn that they were not... things like that... for me it taints the whole experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwing Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks for the updated pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 those 80 oz bars are available in the gift shop.... kidding... while the treasure is neat to look at... there is a lot of shady dealings that go along with that particular treasure... pieces people bought as shipwreck pieces for 50 times more then they were worth because of the provenance to later learn that they were not... things like that... for me it taints the whole experience. It certainly does! I read about that. I believe the whole gimmick was that they would mint their own replicas out of these larger bars but forget to mention the replica part! That's awful. In fact, the Man who discovered the Atocha, Mel Fisher, I believe was found guilty of counterfeiting because of the lack of clarity in these replica coins. I read up on this stuff before I got there and found one general store over near the old jail that was selling these replicas but they absolutely did not make it clear at all that these were replica coins. I of course went to a reputable dealer and purchased a replica coin produced from the silver bars from the atocha for a replica coin price . I feel bad for all of the people who have been duped. Great history nonetheless! And nightwing, you're quite welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vfox Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Very cool, thanks for sharing with us. I have to agree with Matt on the whole tainted feeling from the Fisher wrecks, mainly because I see dozens of people a week with 1/4 size reale coinage set in gold plated silver earrings and they all claim they are real. The coins are all exactly the same, and the size of the coin never seems to match the coin is was modelled after (a 1/2 to 8 reale). I've only ever personally seen maybe a half dozen real examples from Fishers hoards and they were grossly overpriced anyway. I have an 8 reale from the Maravilla shipwreck from around the same time and I paid barely a 10th of a Fisher coin of the same type. I suppose it's brand loyalty of sorts, right? Haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Very cool, thanks for sharing with us. I have to agree with Matt on the whole tainted feeling from the Fisher wrecks, mainly because I see dozens of people a week with 1/4 size reale coinage set in gold plated silver earrings and they all claim they are real. The coins are all exactly the same, and the size of the coin never seems to match the coin is was modelled after (a 1/2 to 8 reale). I've only ever personally seen maybe a half dozen real examples from Fishers hoards and they were grossly overpriced anyway. I have an 8 reale from the Maravilla shipwreck from around the same time and I paid barely a 10th of a Fisher coin of the same type. I suppose it's brand loyalty of sorts, right? Haha. Yeah, Fisher did a good job branding the coins! I will love it when I get a genuine Reale but until then my replica will have to suffice. I love reading about shipwrecked coins! I'll have to read up on the Maravilla. I think I've heard of it before but the stories are great time and time again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vfox Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Yeah, Fisher did a good job branding the coins! I will love it when I get a genuine Reale but until then my replica will have to suffice. I love reading about shipwrecked coins! I'll have to read up on the Maravilla. I think I've heard of it before but the stories are great time and time again! I do admit the replicas are interesting as a replica. I enjoy the early counterfeits as well, but nothing beats an original. Most of the shipwrecked 8 reales on ebay should be viewed with scepticism, many of them are counterfeits, well crafted at that. The best thing to do is purchase from a known dealer or a better know auction house. It is also better to purchase one with a traceable certificate number from the archiological site. You'll have to let us know when you get one; I have several guides on Spanish colonials and could probably figure out the assayer/mint/etc if it isn't already attributed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I do admit the replicas are interesting as a replica. I enjoy the early counterfeits as well, but nothing beats an original. Most of the shipwrecked 8 reales on ebay should be viewed with scepticism, many of them are counterfeits, well crafted at that. The best thing to do is purchase from a known dealer or a better know auction house. It is also better to purchase one with a traceable certificate number from the archiological site. You'll have to let us know when you get one; I have several guides on Spanish colonials and could probably figure out the assayer/mint/etc if it isn't already attributed. Oh excellent. Then when I'm seriously looking I will most certainly consult you sir. I just love these really old coins. I think it's amazing to be able to hold items that are 400+ years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiho Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 The last photo with the four cigar sized gold bars is most impressive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 The last photo with the four cigar sized gold bars is most impressive... Yeah, I wished I could have had them. The museum wasn't feeling charitable though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomD Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 I was in Key West shortly after Fisher found the Atocha during the couple of years that he fought ownership with the State of Florida. He had rented an old wood house in downtown Key West and had the treasure displayed. The gold, emeralds and other hyper value items were in cases but the run of the mill stuff like 80 pound silver bars were just stacked everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofer Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 I was in Key West shortly after Fisher found the Atocha during the couple of years that he fought ownership with the State of Florida. He had rented an old wood house in downtown Key West and had the treasure displayed. The gold, emeralds and other hyper value items were in cases but the run of the mill stuff like 80 pound silver bars were just stacked everywhere. So how many of them did you help to take off their hands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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