17th century silver Spanish coin. The gold “frame” is not part of the coin. When I wear this coin Eileen says I have the Tony Soprano look. Paul Goldfinger photos. Side one.
Side 2 Not exactly pocket change. PG
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor@Blogfinger.net
The Atocha was loaded with treasure (gold, silver, jewels and jewelry) when it sunk in a hurricane off Key West in 1622. The wreck was scattered, and most of the treasure was not found until 1985 by American treasure hunter Mel Fisher, who searched for years. Among the loot were rosaries with emeralds–destined for the Vatican, gold carved rings, gold coins and silver coins.
The silver was mined in Peru and rolled into lengths like a tootsie roll that could be cut into coin blanks. Then a wooden form with an engraving on the end was used to hammer the carvings into the silver, much as they did during the Roman Empire. This coin was minted in Potosi, Peru (now Bolivia)
The coins were shipped in wooden chests. The wood dissolved leaving an amalgam of silver coins all stuck together. It was a huge job to separate them while preserving the coin details.
Many people invested in his search, and when the bulk of the riches were found, they received a portion.
I purchased this silver coin from the family of one of the original investors. It is “grade one” which means that much of the detail is preserved.
One side depicts the symbols of the two royal houses of Spain: the castle and the lion. It is about 1 1/2 inch in diameter.
The writing has to do with King Phillip III and where the coin was minted.
Comment from Rosemary of Ocean Grove who sends us an interesting account of Mel Fisher:
Thanks, Rosemary.
MILES DAVIS AND GIL EVANS. “The Maids of Cadiz”. From the Miles Davis 1957 album Miles Ahead.
A few years later Miles Davis along with composer-arranger Gil Evans made the album shown above: Sketches of Spain. It is not actually a jazz album as much as a remembrance and reinterpretation of Spanish music. This album is perhaps his most famous and most beautiful work.
Cadiz is a port in southwest Spain which had been the home of the Spanish navy.
Collectors love to find albums like the one above, partly for the music and partly for the album artwork . This is my album, but it will not be for sale among the albums which I will show at the Blogfinger Town-Wide Yard Sale on June 7, 2025 in Ocean Grove. Sketches of Spain
“The Maids of Cadiz” from Miles Ahead:
“Concierta de Aranjuez”. From the Miles Davis and Gil Evans album Sketches of Spain.
Is it a Spanish piece of eight from the Atocha, the treasure ship that sank in a storm and was found by treasure hunter Mel Fisher?
Editor: TH you win. Send us your contact info and your name. Paul