Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Blogfinger contest’

This coin is from the wreck of the Spanish treasure galleon Atocha which went down in a hurricane in 1622.

Posted in Blogfinger contest, tagged on May 15, 2025| 1 Comment »

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:

“It is a compelling story and I continue to be amazed by the tenacity of the Fisher family, they searched for the Atocha for 16 years before finding it, Mel started every day by saying “Today’s the day” and, one day, it was indeed the DAY.  Others had searched for the this vessel but what made the difference is that Mel Fisher sent someone to Spain to research the original 17th century documents which pinpointed the location of wreck in a different area slightly away from where other would be treasure hunters were looking.
“Even after finding it, he litigated for 6 years or so with the State of Florida which tried to claim the treasure.
“The case worked its way up though the Appellate Courts eventually winding up in the Supreme Court which found in favor of Mel Fisher and his investors.  Really a fascinating story.”

 

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.

 

 

 

Read Full Post »