Watch List notes:

Small silver contraband "wedge" ingot, 324.5 grams, from the 1715 Fleet. Roughly 2" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2". While the silver contraband on 1600s Spanish ships was mostly "splash"-type disks, the 1700s ships generally carried more sophisticated contraband in the form of wedges (also spikes and nails and other crafty shapes) which could fit neatly like little pie pieces in the bottom of a barrel or other cylindrical container. The present example is just about the smallest one we've seen, but is typical in being well molded but completely devoid of any markings, also darkly toned, very cute. From the 1715 Fleet, pedigreed to our Auction #14, with original lot-tag #308 and photo-certificate.
(600 - 900 USD)