Watch List notes:

Small silver ingot, 32.16 grams, with crowned cross-lions-castles tax stamp (Mexico or Santo Domingo), very rare, from the "Power Plant wreck" (late 1500s). Approx. 1-3/4" x 1". As described in the book Spanish Treasure Bars, by Craig and Richards (2003), for at least 60 years beachcombers on the east coast of Florida in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant have found Mexican Philip II coins and tiny ingots of varying weights like this one, with markings of crowned cross-lions-castles with globes at the ends, a distinctly Mexican style that was mimicked on the extremely rare Santo Domingo coins of the late 1500s. Because all these mysterious ingots are small (up to 70 grams or so), we feel they must have been a form of "plata corriente" like we know of for the mid-1500s, especially with their official markings to show taxation. This specimen of average size bears a nearly full stamp on its smooth side (the other side rough and corroded), nicely toned and evidently quite rare. From the "Power Plant wreck" (late 1500s) off Hutchinson Island, Florida, and pedigreed to the Thomas Gray collection and formerly displayed at the ANA Money Museum's "Treasures of the Deep" exhibit (2014-15), also pedigreed to our Auction #11, with original lot-tag #211.

Estimate: $1500 - 3000