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 photo. Side one.
Side 2
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.
We have a winner: 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 album Sketches of Spain. This album is perhaps his most famous and most beautiful. Cadiz is a port in southwest Spain which had been the home of the Spanish navy.
