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SHIPWRECK INGOTS AND BULLION

Gold

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"Golden Fleece wreck," sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean
Lot# 142 World's only gold-bar clump, consisting of approximately 2400 grams in two complete, long ingots fused together by coral, 20K. World's only gold-bar clump, consisting of approximately 2400 grams in two complete, long ingots fused together by coral, 20K. 2396 grams, 10-1/2" long and about 1-1/2" wide. We have never seen anything like this before: Two whole "finger bars" in lustrous gold strapped together nearly in parallel by white, wormy coral, a unique and lovely museum piece that has never been offered publicly until now. Like the other gold bars from this wreck, these two ingots feature fineness markings five times down the length of each bar on the rounded side, the markings here characterized by double curved X's, the rest of each bar relatively smooth (save for tiny gas bubbles and scratches), with the topside featureless and flat. Naturally most of the value of this relic is the intrinsic worth of the gold, but we feel it has nearly unlimited artifact value beyond that. Nevertheless, this lot is unreserved and the opening bid ($80,000) is below melt value! From the "Golden Fleece wreck," sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean. Estimate: $100,000-$145,000.
Lot# 143 Complete gold Complete gold "finger" bar #39, 1108 grams, 17K. 10" long, 1" wide. A full, long ingot of relatively lower-fineness gold, with the fineness (here as XVII) typically marked five times down the length of the rounded side, the flat topside caked with white coral in the middle, its surfaces lightly scratched here and there (some of the scratches clearly pre-salvage, as they terminate underneath the coral), bright yellow gold and impressive like all big ingots. From the "Golden Fleece wreck," sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean. Estimate: $25,000-$35,000.
Lot# 144 Gold Gold "finger" bar #45, 668 grams, 17-1/4K. 6" long, 1-1/4" wide. About half an ingot, typically crudely broken to split the value in its time, with three of the five fineness markings per bar in evidence (here as XVII•), a bit wider than most and of relatively lower fineness, attractively caked with white coral on both the rounded (marked) side and the flat topside, also with coppery stains here and there on lustrous yellow surfaces. From the "Golden Fleece wreck," sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
Lot# 145 Gold Gold "finger" bar #36, 640 grams, 15-1/4K. 7" long, 1" wide. A bit more than half an ingot, the break partly chiseled and crudely broken from there, with three fineness markings XV• down the length of the rounded side, the flat topside caked with white coral, the bar surfaces pale yellow in color (low fineness) and dotted with copper spots. From the "Golden Fleece wreck," sunk ca. 1550 in the northern Caribbean. Estimate: $12,000-$18,000.

Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique
Lot# 146 Large cut piece of a flat gold nugget, 19.3 grams. Large cut piece of a flat gold nugget, 19.3 grams. Roughly 1" x 7/8" x 1/4". Irregular lump with white and gray encrustation in crevices with cut or break evident on part of side, very coin-like in size and weight. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/1009. Estimate: $600-$900.
Lot# 147 Lumpy gold nugget, 11.2 grams. Lumpy gold nugget, 11.2 grams. Roughly 7/8" x 3/8" x 1/4". Very irregular and globular nugget with fine film of whitish encrustation on surfaces. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/1012. Estimate: $300-$450.
Lot# 148 Small, bulbous gold nugget, 7.9 grams. Small, bulbous gold nugget, 7.9 grams. About 5/8" x 7/16" x 1/4". A gourd-shaped droplet, very irregular in shape, with patches of white coral on one side, the other side lustrous but bubbly in texture. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/1014. Estimate: $250-$325.
Lot# 149 Small, irregular gold nugget, 7.4 grams. Small, irregular gold nugget, 7.4 grams. About 5/8" x 1/2" x 1/4". Odd-shaped lump with one smooth side and one side bumpy, the former with several stress cracks and the latter with encrustation in crevices. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/1116. Estimate: $250-$325.
Lot# 150 Wedge cut of a small gold disk, 6.7 grams. Wedge cut of a small gold disk, 6.7 grams. About 1/2" radius and 1/4" thick. An approximately one-sixth "pie-cut" wedge from a small, flat disk, with light red toning and small bits of white encrustation. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/855. Estimate: $250-$325.
Lot# 151 Small, irregular gold nugget, 6.6 grams. Small, irregular gold nugget, 6.6 grams. About 5/8" x 5/16" x 3/16". Somewhat bean-shaped lump with rough surfaces harboring bits of encrustation. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/1107. Estimate: $250-$325.
Lot# 152 Wedge cut of a small gold disk, 6.6 grams. Wedge cut of a small gold disk, 6.6 grams. About 1/2" radius and 3/16" thick. An approximately one-fourth "pie-cut" wedge from a small, flat disk, very smooth and even, with a veneer of whitish encrustation on surfaces. From the Espadarte, sunk in 1558 off Mozambique, with Arqueonautas certificate #IDM-002/02/968. Estimate: $250-$325.

Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida
Lot# 153 Gold Gold "finger" bar #10, 687 grams, 23.5K, believed to be either contraband-, church- or tax-related since it bears no official stamps. 5-1/4" long, 1" wide, 11/16" deep. In the 25+ years since these bars were found, no one has been able to prove their purpose or answer to why, if they were indeed contraband, they all bear fineness markings (always XXIII: for 23.5K) and hand-engraved serial numbers (149-3 in this case). Also they are all neatly cast and all about the same weight. We feel they had some official reason for being--perhaps they were for the church or the king?--but in any case they are intrinsically valuable and intriguing. This specimen is lustrous and golden yellow in color, with flat topside slightly sunken as usual, stamped by the salvagers with "10A" on the rounded bottom. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher photo-certificate #82A-3959-10. Estimate: $25,000-$35,000.

S.S. Central America, sunk in 1857 in deep water off North Carolina
Lot# 154 Lot of gold flakes and dust, approximately 40.1 grams, in original Sotheby's packaging. Lot of gold flakes and dust, approximately 40.1 grams, in original Sotheby's packaging. 2" x 2" x 3/4" overall. A generous "pan-full" of natural gold from the California Gold Rush recovered from this famous "ship of gold," one of the few original lots that did not (yet) find its way to promoters for re-packaging into 1.5-gram retail items. From the S.S. Central America, sunk in 1857 in deep water off North Carolina, in original Sotheby's box with lot-sticker #575 / 21266. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.
Lot# 155 Pinch of gold dust (1.5 grams), officially encapsulated by Collectors Universe, with wooden presentation box, certificate and seal. Pinch of gold dust (1.5 grams), officially encapsulated by Collectors Universe, with wooden presentation box, certificate and seal. 10" x 4-1/2" x 3-1/4". Popular promotional item featuring a small pinch of the original natural gold dust and flakes from the California Gold Rush that were recovered from the ship. From the S.S. Central America, sunk in 1857 in deep water off North Carolina, housed in a 10" x 4½" x 3Ό" wooden box with sliding lid imprinted with "DESTINATION: NEW YORK" containing a small booklet and certificate #5333 (also with unapplied foil seal for the outside). Estimate: $200-$250.
Lot# 156 Gold nugget embedded in a 1-oz. Proof silver medal, officially encapsulated by Global Certification Services, Inc. Gold nugget embedded in a 1-oz. Proof silver medal, officially encapsulated by Global Certification Services, Inc. 4-1/4" x 2-5/8" overall. Popular promotional item with a small bit of placer gold from the California Gold Rush embedded in a 49er's pan on one side of the medal, the other side showing the ship at sea, with a brief history about the Gold Rush and the shipwreck inside the slab. From the S.S. Central America, sunk in 1857 in deep water off North Carolina. Estimate: $50-$75.
Lot# 157 Natural 67-gram gold nugget that may be from a wreck. Natural 67-gram gold nugget that may be from a wreck. Roughly 1-3/4" x 1" x 1/2". A large, dense rock of gold, just as it was found in nature, with rounded surfaces from eons of rolling along river beds, probably found during the California Gold Rush and subsequently lost in a shipwreck, with green and tan encrustation in the bubbly surfaces, rubbed (for testing?) on one point. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000.

SHIPWRECK INGOTS AND BULLION

Silver

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Description

"Tumbaga wreck," sunk ca. 1528 off Grand Bahama Island
Lot# 158 Large Large "tumbaga" silver disc #M-96, 18.03 lb. 8" in diameter and 2" thick in the middle. Massive hemisphere of silver with nearly full tax stamp and part of another next to bold fineness marking IULXVI (1066) below assayer MS (a relatively scarce mark on these bars) on the rounded side, the flat side a wonderful terrain of bubble holes and ripples, no sign of an assayer's bite anywhere. From the "Tumbaga wreck," sunk ca. 1528 off Grand Bahama Island. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000.
Lot# 159 Flat, rectangular Flat, rectangular "tumbaga" silver bar #M-105, 7.92 lb. About 12-1/2" x 4" x 1/2". Most of the topside is smooth and features a full assayer B~Vo next to serial number (?) RC above fineness IVCCL (1250) plus two partial tax stamps, very grainy texture on other side of bar, clean square-cut bite in one corner, lots of dark toning. From the "Tumbaga wreck," sunk ca. 1528 off Grand Bahama Island. Estimate: $3,000-$4,500.

Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida
Lot# 160 Large silver bar #757, 86 lb 11.2 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. Large silver bar #757, 86 lb 11.2 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. 36.5 x 13 x 8.6 cm. Typically bread loaf-shaped ingot with choice markings for a Class Factor 0.8, with bold manifest number CCCLXXXX and owner/shipper's mark monogrammed GA (for J. Bautista la Gasca), clear fineness IIUCCCLXXX, and several tax stamps, with prominent "double scoop" assayer's bite in center. Note the bar also shows a bold V for silvermaster De Vreder and B for his assistant(?), and the lightly encrusted sides of the bar show several pieces of embedded charcoal. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher photo-certificate #757. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
Lot# 161 Large silver bar #604, 87 lb 2.3 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. Large silver bar #604, 87 lb 2.3 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. 40 x 14.5 x 7.5 cm. Very curious ingot with deep bubble holes in top surface and erased markings of previous owners/shippers, also with exceptionally bold markings, consisting of manifest number LXXI, owner/shipper's mark *A, fineness IIUCCCLXXX, tax stamps and at least the cartouches for the mine and date. Interestingly, this bar at first seems to lack an obvious assayer's bite, but on one side end there is what appears to be cylindrical bite (as seen on Oruro bars) that was plugged and hammered flat (the sides and bottom of the bar more rounded than most), and one of the large bubbles on top was actually a "double-scoop" bite that hit a void. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher photo-certificate #604. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
Lot# 162 Large silver bar #523, 87 lb 6.88 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. Large silver bar #523, 87 lb 6.88 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. 39.2 x 12.4 x 9.2 cm. Taller than most, with sharply sloping sides, flat top with bold markings of manifest number IUCCXLVII, 4 owner/shipper marks, fineness IIUCCCLXXX, tax stamps and V for silvermaster De Vreder, also with cylindrical assayer's bite in side, indicating that it was cast at the Oruro mine, nicely toned all over. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher photo-certificate #523. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
Lot# 163 Large silver bar #588, 89 lb 0.80 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. Large silver bar #588, 89 lb 0.80 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.8. 41.8 x 12.7 x 9 cm. Boldly marked with manifest number CCCCXI, owner/shipper's marks monogrammed MB (M. de Munibe), G and Y (G. de Yepes), fineness IIUCCCLXXX, tax stamps and V for silvermaster De Vreder, the cylindrical assayer's bite near the bottom on one side end (rounded sides and bottom) as cast at Oruro, nice toning. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher photo-certificate #588. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
Lot# 164 Small silver bar #820, 39 lb 10.08 oz troy, 2360/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.9. Small silver bar #820, 39 lb 10.08 oz troy, 2360/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.9. 36.5 x 11.2 x 4.7 cm. About half the height of the usual loaves from this wreck, with bold markings of manifest number CCCXCVII, owner/shipper's AA or MAA in monogram, fineness IIUCCCLX, tax stamps, and cartouche for mine and date, with depression in one side end that must be the assayer's bite (Oruro), rounded sides and bottom. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher certificate #85A-S820. Estimate: $7,000-$10,000.
Lot# 165 Silver Silver "barreton" #863, 17 lb 9.76 oz troy, 2370/2400 fine, Class Factor 0.6. 35.7 x 6.8 x 3.6 cm. Narrow, rectangular "rail" of silver with clear fineness marking IIUCCCLXX but nothing else except the usual V for silvermaster De Vreder in one corner, another corner showing a diagonally-sliced assayer's bite, very bubbly surfaces. From the Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with Fisher certificate #85A-S863. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.

Santa Margarita, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida
Lot# 166 Small silver Small silver "barreton" #500, 87.49 oz troy, fineness unknown. 11" x 1-3/4" x 1". A neatly cast rectangular "rail" of silver with cratered surface that does not appear to have ever been marked (hence probably contraband), with dark toning all over, among relatively few bars from this wreck and with valuable early certificate. From the Santa Margarita, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida, with original Fisher photo-certificate #500-M-80. Estimate: $1,500-$2,250.

1681 Fleet off Panama (Boticaria site)
Lot# 167 Small (molded) silver ingot (contraband) wrapped in pewter, 43.57 oz troy. Small (molded) silver ingot (contraband) wrapped in pewter, 43.57 oz troy. About 4" x 2-1/2" x 1-1/2". A most curious item that the consignor originally thought was just lead, but then we scraped off some of the dark brown-gray surface and discovered a core of solid, bright silver--an ingenious form of contraband! Neatly formed, with knobby bottom and flat top and sides, circular pit at one end in top that mimics an assayer's bite, no markings of course but still fascinating for what it is. Estimate: $500-$750.

Slot ter Hooge, sunk in 1724 off the Madeira Islands
Lot# 168 Neatly formed silver ingot, 1950 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Zeeland chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.), cast in diagonal to the bar width. Neatly formed silver ingot, 1950 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Zeeland chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.), cast in diagonal to the bar width. 5" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2". Very carefully formed and well-preserved ingot, with choice markings of an 8-sided rose (Amsterdam silversmiths) and the Zeeland VOC monogram on one side, diagonal casting seam at one end and typical sunken pit with encrustation and diagonal assayer's bite at other end, nicely toned and meticulously certified. With original certificate from the salvager. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.
Lot# 169 Neatly formed silver ingot, 1960 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Zeeland chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.), cast in parallel to the bar width. Neatly formed silver ingot, 1960 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Zeeland chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.), cast in parallel to the bar width. 5-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/4". Formed in two slightly offset halves, with one end of both halves sliced and assayed, choice markings of an 8-sided rose (Amsterdam silversmiths) and the Zeeland VOC monogram on one of the flat sides (as opposed to the two sides that show the seam), nicely toned and meticulously certified. With original certificate from the salvager. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.

Rooswijk, sunk in 1739 southeast of England
Lot# 170 Neatly formed silver ingot, 1936 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Amsterdam chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.). Neatly formed silver ingot, 1936 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Amsterdam chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.). 6" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/4". Typically neat and well-preserved rectangular ingot with bold Amsterdam VOC marking above billy goat in cartouche (unidentified silversmith) on one side, deep depression filled with dark encrustation at one end, lightly pitted and silvery from cleaning. From the Rooswijk (1739), with certificate and tag #RK05A00584. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.
Lot# 171 Neatly formed silver ingot, 1901 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Amsterdam chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.). Neatly formed silver ingot, 1901 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Amsterdam chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.). 6" x 1-3/8" x 1-1/4". Typically neat and well-preserved rectangular ingot with bold Amsterdam VOC marking above billy goat in cartouche (unidentified silversmith) on one side, deep depression with some encrustation at one end, lightly pitted and silvery from cleaning. From the Rooswijk (1739), with certificate and tag #RK05A04182. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.
Lot# 172 Neatly formed silver ingot, 1966 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Amsterdam chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.). Neatly formed silver ingot, 1966 grams, about 98.5% fine, with stamps of the Amsterdam chamber of the VOC (Dutch East India Co.). 6-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 1-3/8". Typically neat and well-preserved rectangular ingot with bold Amsterdam VOC marking above billy goat in cartouche (unidentified silversmith) on one side, shallow depression with encrustation inside and diagonal cuts around it at one end, attractively uncorroded and lightly polished. From the Rooswijk (1739), with certificate and tag #RK04A0512. Estimate: $2,500-$3,750.
Lot# 173 Silver brick, 100 oz troy, 99.9% fine, stamped USS CONSTITUTION. Silver brick, 100 oz troy, 99.9% fine, stamped USS CONSTITUTION. 7-1/2" x 2" x 1-1/4". A modern, generic silver bar cast by the defunct Constitution Mint Inc. of Provo, Utah, who used an image of the famous battleship to identify their products, also stamped with "CMI," "100" and "99.9+ FINE TROY OUNCES," all the markings on the smooth bottom of the bar, all the other faces rough, bright silver color all over. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500.

SHIPWRECK INGOTS AND BULLION

Copper

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Atocha, sunk in 1622 west of Key West, Florida
Lot# 174 Very large copper ingot #209, 51.5 lb. Very large copper ingot #209, 51.5 lb. Roughly 15" x 9" x 3". Like all of the many copper "pigs" recovered from the Atocha, this one bears no markings and was crudely cast with very uneven surfaces, but this one is much larger than most, slightly rectangular in shape, and offers interesting green and white surfaces as found. With original Fisher certificate #86A-206 and recent hologram certificate #86A-209. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500.
Lot# 175 Large copper ingot #162, 34 lb. Large copper ingot #162, 34 lb. Roughly 13" x 8" x 3". A moderate-sized copper "pig" among many from this wreck, with no markings and crudely cast into a somewhat semi-ovoid shape, its surfaces heavily encrusted with whitish shell bits and sediment, an interesting (but heavy) display. With Fisher certificate #162. Estimate: $800-$1,200.

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