Watch List notes:

Large silver bar #491 made in Oruro, 81 lb 6.56 oz troy, 2380/2400 fine (99.17%), Class Factor 0.9, marked with manifest number XI (11), fineness IIUCCCLXXX preceded by PA5 assayer cartouche, tax stamps and owner/shipper marks, ex-Atocha (1622). 15-1/2" x 5" x 3". In addition to being slightly different in shape from most bars (with steeply sloping ends, the bottom face only 11" long), this ingot bears one of the lowest manifest numbers we've seen (11), as well as a unique and very clear assayer-mark PA5 (the only one of its kind among the 960 or so bars found) next to a clear fineness in small boxes with another (illegible) cartouche following, also with four small and nearly complete but lightly impressed circular tax seals, V for silvermaster de Vreder in one corner, and a very deep and prominent diamond-topped TA monogram that is known to stand for owner M. de Tirajo (with a prior mark effaced at other end). One end shows a distinct cylindrical assayer's "bite" as usual for the Oruro mine. From the Atocha (1622), with original Fisher photo-certificate 85A-S491.
($30000-45000)