Tag Archives: numismatics

Sedwick Auction 37: Record Prices in a Market for the Advanced Collector

10 May

Sedwick Auction 37 delivered exceptional results, marked by record-breaking prices for standout rarities and a stellar performance by the Almenara Collection of gold coins from Potosí and Lima. With finest known examples, multiple provenances, and strong historical significance, these colonial treasures drew intense bidding, reaffirming the market’s focus on rarity, condition, and pedigree.

The results confirmed a trend we’ve observed across recent sales: this is a market driven by knowledgeable and discerning collectors—those who seek out the most important pieces and are willing to compete for them. From rare milled coinage to hand-struck cobs, buyers responded strongly to top-tier material. Shipwreck coins continued their momentum, with rising prices across the board and sustained interest from collectors who value both history and preservation.

At the same time, Auction 37 offered meaningful opportunities for new and mid-level collectors. Strong bidding across a range of price points demonstrated that there is still room for growth and participation at all levels, making this auction a success not only for established specialists but also for newcomers with a passion for numismatics.

This auction also marked a special milestone—it was the first time we hosted a live sale in our new offices. The in-house event brought together collectors, consignors, and guests for an exclusive and memorable experience.

Over the course of six sessions held from May 7 to 9 at our offices in Maitland, Florida, the following highlights unfolded:

  • Lot 92 Large silver ingot 728 from Potosí, Class Factor 1.0, 76 lb oz troy, marked with dated 1621 – $66,000*
  • Lot 124 SPAIN, Seville, gold cob 2 escudos, 1619 (G), PCGS AU55 (Atocha) – $51,000*
  • Lot 46 PERU, Lima, gold cob 2 escudos, 1748 R, very rare, NGC MS 65, finest and only example in NGC census – $39,000*
  • Lot 495 MEXICO, Mexico City, 3 reales, Charles-Joanna, “Early Series,” assayer Rincón – $48,000*
  • Lot 1037 SANTO DOMINGO, 4 reales, Charles-Joanna, “Early Series,” assayer F to left – $75,000*
  • Lot 1026 COSTA RICA, San José, gold 20 pesos, 1873 GW, very rare, NGC UNC details – $54,000*
  • Lot 848 BOLIVIA, Potosí, gold bust 2 escudos, Charles IV (bust of Charles III) 1789 PR AU 58, finest – $48,000*
  • Lot 1216 PERU, Lima, gold bust 4 escudos, Charles III, 1765 JM, second bust (“rat nose”), very rare – $42,000*
  • Lot 1399 PHILIPPINES, GUAM, and the MARIANA ISLANDS (Spanish East Indies), cast 2 Reales-sized Proclamation – $45,000*
  • Lot 1665 Gold pendant with diamonds and emeralds, ex-Tolosa (1724), Borrell Plate, Smithsonian Plate – $42,000*

Given the exclusive nature of our auctions, now is the perfect time to start thinking about consigning your collection or select coins for future sales. We thank our consignors and bidders for continuing to choose Sedwick Auctions. More great things are coming soon!

Contact information:

email: office@sedwickcoins.com

phone or whatsapp: +407.975.3325

Schedule and upcoming events – click here

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

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Day 2 of Sedwick & Associates Auction 36 Reaches New Heights with Record-Breaking Success

10 Nov

Orlando, FL — November 8, 2024

Building on the strong foundation set by Day 1, Day 2 of Sedwick & Associates Auction 36 surpassed expectations with remarkable record-breaking results and standout performances across numerous categories. This historic day showcased an array of Spanish colonial coins, especially the coveted pieces from the Luis Roberto Ponte Collection of Lima & Potosí Cobs, as well as shipwreck coins & ingots, Latin American rarities, and vintage Chinese coins. For the first time in Sedwick & Associates’ history, sales topped $5 million, marking an exciting new milestone and ushering in an era of expansion and continued success.

The day featured these prominent collections:

  • The John M. O’Brien Reference Collection of Peruvian Coins
  • The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection of Cuban Gold Coins, Part I
  • The Jorge Becerra Collection of Colombian Colonial Coins
  • The JEAS Collection of Gold Coins of Independent Colombia

Sedwick & Associates extends its heartfelt gratitude to our consignors for their trust and to our bidders, both in person and online, for making this auction such an outstanding success. Closing out 2024 with this achievement fuels our excitement as we head into 2025, ready to embrace new offices, talented additions, and ambitious growth. Here’s to more excellence and innovation ahead. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. – Prices realized Auction 36

SOME TOP HIGHLIGHTS SOLD AT AUCTION 36 – November 7-8, 2024:

Gold bar ingot from Colombia, 915 grams, marked with fineness XXII (22K), circular tax stamp, and fo

75 – Gold bar ingot from Colombia, 915 grams, marked with fineness XXII (22K), circular tax stamp, and fo

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

Gold bar ingot from Colombia, 915 grams, marked with fineness XXII (22K), circular tax stamp, and foundry stamp (B)ARBACO(A)S, ex-1715 Fleet, ex-AnderBidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 60,000.00 – 90,000.00

Sold for (95,000.00 + 19,000.00BP) = 114,000.00

Large silver ingot 632 from Potosi, 84 lb 5.12 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, with markings of mine/date

82 – Large silver ingot 632 from Potosi, 84 lb 5.12 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, with markings of mine/date

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

Large silver ingot 632 from Potosi, 84 lb 5.12 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, with markings of mine/date Po1622, manifest IULXXIX (1079), fineness IIUCCCLBidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 35,000.00 – 70,000.00

Sold for (70,000.00 + 14,000.00BP) = 84,000.00

PERU, Lima, "Star of Lima" type, cob 8 reales presentation strike, 1659 V, mintmark * above LIMA, V

263 – PERU, Lima, “Star of Lima” type, cob 8 reales presentation strike, 1659 V, mintmark * above LIMA, V

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

PERU, Lima, “Star of Lima” type, cob 8 reales presentation strike, 1659 V, mintmark * above LIMA, V to left and 8 to right, rare, NGC AU d…Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 25,000.00 – 50,000.00

Sold for (70,000.00 + 14,000.00BP) = 84,000.00

Gold oval ingot, 645.26 grams, tested at 0.819 fine gold (19.656K), marked with V-over-upside-down-V

77 – Gold oval ingot, 645.26 grams, tested at 0.819 fine gold (19.656K), marked with V-over-upside-down-V

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

Gold oval ingot, 645.26 grams, tested at 0.819 fine gold (19.656K), marked with V-over-upside-down-V monogram and XXIII, ex-Luz (1752), ex-Sotheby&#…Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 40,000.00 – 60,000.00

Sold for (55,000.00 + 11,000.00BP) = 66,000.00

CHINA, Kansu, Kanzhou mint, dollar, Sun Yat-sen, Year 17 (1928), 民国17年

908 – CHINA, Kansu, Kanzhou mint, dollar, Sun Yat-sen, Year 17 (1928), 民国17年

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

CHINA, Kansu, Kanzhou mint, dollar, Sun Yat-sen, Year 17 (1928), 民国17年甘肃省造Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 20,000.00 – 30,000.00

Sold for (55,000.00 + 11,000.00BP) = 66,000.00

CHINA, Tientsin mint, dollar, Tsao-Kun, (1923), military attire, very rare, 曹锟[x

906 – CHINA, Tientsin mint, dollar, Tsao-Kun, (1923), military attire, very rare, 曹锟[x

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

CHINA, Tientsin mint, dollar, Tsao-Kun, (1923), military attire, very rare, 曹锟像宪法成Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 50,000.00 – 75,000.00

Sold for (47,500.00 + 9,500.00BP) = 57,000.00

PERU, Cuzco, gold cob 1 escudo, 1698 M, extremely rare, NGC AU 58 (1715 Fleet Shipwreck Label).

311 – PERU, Cuzco, gold cob 1 escudo, 1698 M, extremely rare, NGC AU 58 (1715 Fleet Shipwreck Label).

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

PERU, Cuzco, gold cob 1 escudo, 1698 M, extremely rare, NGC AU 58 (1715 Fleet Shipwreck Label). S-CZ1; KM-A27; Cal-811; Fr-6. 3.36 grams. Excellent fuBidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 30,000.00 – 60,000.00

Sold for (45,000.00 + 9,000.00BP) = 54,000.00

SPAIN, Seville, gold milled 8 escudos, Philip V, 1714 M, NGC MS 65, finest known in NGC census.

1429 – SPAIN, Seville, gold milled 8 escudos, Philip V, 1714 M, NGC MS 65, finest known in NGC census.

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

SPAIN, Seville, gold milled 8 escudos, Philip V, 1714 M, NGC MS 65, finest known in NGC census. Cal-2284; KM-260; Fr-247. A very lustrous and pristineBidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 50,000.00 – 100,000.00

Sold for (45,000.00 + 9,000.00BP) = 54,000.00

PERU, Cuzco, gold cob 2 escudos, 1698 M, HISPANIRVM error, broad flan ("Lima" cut), very rare, NGC M

310 – PERU, Cuzco, gold cob 2 escudos, 1698 M, HISPANIRVM error, broad flan (“Lima” cut), very rare, NGC M

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

PERU, Cuzco, gold cob 2 escudos, 1698 M, HISPANIRVM error, broad flan (“Lima” cut), very rare, NGC MS 64 (1715 Fleet Shipwreck Label), &qu…Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 20,000.00 – 40,000.00

Sold for (37,500.00 + 7,500.00BP) = 45,000.00

BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales Heart, 1709 Y, NGC XF details / environmental damage, finest and only

655 – BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales Heart, 1709 Y, NGC XF details / environmental damage, finest and only

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales Heart, 1709 Y, NGC XF details / environmental damage, finest and only example in NGC census, ex-von Schuckmann. S…Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 25,000.00 – 50,000.00

Sold for (36,250.00 + 7,250.00BP) = 43,500.00

PERU, Lima, gold cob 8 escudos, 1711 M, legend starting at 6 o'clock, NGC MS 64 (1715 Fleet Shipwrec

307 – PERU, Lima, gold cob 8 escudos, 1711 M, legend starting at 6 o’clock, NGC MS 64 (1715 Fleet Shipwrec

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

PERU, Lima, gold cob 8 escudos, 1711 M, legend starting at 6 o’clock, NGC MS 64 (1715 Fleet Shipwreck Label). S-L28; KM-38.2; Cal-2119; Fr-7. 26…Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 20,000.00 – 30,000.00

Sold for (32,500.00 + 6,500.00BP) = 39,000.00

BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales Royal (galano), 1704/3 Y, rare, NGC AU 55, finest known in NGC census.

654 – BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales Royal (galano), 1704/3 Y, rare, NGC AU 55, finest known in NGC census.

Sedwick & Associates, LLC

BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales Royal (galano), 1704/3 Y, rare, NGC AU 55, finest known in NGC census. S-P43a; KM-unl (R31 for type); Cal-unl (Ty…Bidding Has Concluded

Estimate : 15,000.00 – 30,000.00

Sold for (30,000.00 + 6,000.00BP) = 36,000.00

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The Great Cob Collector: Luis Roberto Ponte Puigbó

13 Oct

We are honored to present the second part of the remarkable collection of Luis Roberto Ponte Puigbó, focusing on rare 4 reales and 8 reales cobs from Lima and Potosí. Luis Roberto’s passion for South American cobs was unmatched, and his collection reflects years of dedication to acquiring some of the finest and rarest examples. It’s a privilege for us to now offer these exceptional pieces to collectors around the world.

In this publication, we also share a tribute from his brother, Alejandro, which beautifully captures Luis Roberto’s love for numismatics and the legacy he leaves behind.

Luis Roberto Ponte Puigbó

Luis Roberto Ponte Puigbó
17/04/1962 – 14/03/2023

“Born in Caracas, Venezuela, descended from an ancient lineage linked to the culture, history, and science of his country, he was a passionate numismatist and historian, a respected lawyer, graduating with Honors from the prestigious Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in 1986. He pursued his profession successfully and brilliantly, being one of the best lawyers in Venezuela, legally representing major companies of the country, demonstrating his dedication and commitment to excellence. His legal background, combined with his passion for history, provided him with a unique and valuable perspective that he applied both in his professional life and in his personal interests.
“Numismatics fascinated him so much that he became an eminent researcher and one of the most outstanding collectors in the world, with vast knowledge of macuquinas (cobs), Hispano-American mints such as Lima, Potosí, and expertise in Venezuelan coins. He presented countless conferences, publications in national and international forums, contributing significant discoveries to this world. He served as Secretary and Legal Advisor of the Venezuelan Numismatic Society. He was a Corresponding Member, Secretary, and Legal Advisor of the Venezuelan Numismatic Society (Sonuve); Lifetime Member of the American Numismatic Society (ANS); Corresponding Member and District Representative for Venezuela of the American Numismatic Association (ANA); Member of the Spanish Numismatic Association (ANE); Member of the Numismatic Association of Chile (ANUCH), Member of Colombian Numismatists (Numiscol); Member of the Philatelic and Numismatic Circle of Barcelona (CNFB); Corresponding Member of the Federal Institute of Numismatic Researchers of the Argentine Republic (IFINRA); Number Member of the Dominican Numismatic Society (SND); among others.
“Luis Roberto dedicated the last years of his life to meticulous research in the historical archives of the Indies in Seville, Spain, leaving several of his findings in progress, which will be published in the near future. He was not just a coin collector; he was an investigator and explorer of the past. Each coin in his collection told a story, which was a small piece of the puzzle of our civilization. As a historian, his insatiable curiosity and meticulous attention to detail allowed him to delve into the mysteries of the past in a way that few could. Luis was always an exemplary, virtuous, cultured, brilliant, dedicated, and enthusiastic human being, whose generosity, simplicity, and humility transcended in all those who had the opportunity to know him. Despite the sadness we feel, he will be remembered for his love of life, his dedication, and passion for history and numismatics. His loss is irreparable, but his legacy will endure for decades in his research, his coins, and in our memories.”

ALEJANDRO LUIS PONTE PUIGBÓ

Link to his collection

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Sedwick & Associates presents Treasure, World, U.S. Coin and Paper Money Auction 36 Live In-Person & on the Internet, Thursday-Friday, November 7 & 8, 2024

8 Oct

This auction is one of our biggest to date, with many important rarities in coins, currency, and artifacts!
In our Gold Cobs section you will find such trophies as a Seville, Spain, 1681/0/79 S gold cob 8 escudos graded NGC MS 61 (Lot 23) and the finest known Seville, Spain, 1659 (R) gold cob 8 escudos graded NGC MS 63 (Lot 17). Also note a lovely Lima, Peru, 1748 R gold cob 8 escudos graded NGC MS 63 (Lot 37).
Shipwreck Ingots hosts one of the finest selections of shipwreck gold bars that we’ve had so far, with several unique gold ingots from the “Golden Fleece” wreck, the Atocha, the 1715 Fleet, the Luz, and the “Nanking Cargo” (Lots 73-77). Four large silver bars from the Atocha in this sale make a veritable grade set with Class Factors 0.7 up to the perfect 1.0 available for bidding (Lots 82-85).
A new feature in Shipwreck Coins is that gold cobs are now included with their respective wrecks. The Silver Banks Collection hosts over 60 silver cobs recovered from the Concepción by Captain Tracy Bowden (Lots 132-195). There’s an incredible selection of Capitana and Maravillas cobs from the Luis R. Ponte Collection including numerous countermarked pre-1652 shield-type 8 reales along with transitional and post-transitional types. The popular 1715 Fleet features a strong assortment of high-grade gold cobs including a fantastic Mexico City, Mexico, 1715 J cob 8 escudos graded NGC AU 58 (Lot 296) and the spectacularly rare Cuzco, Peru, 1698 M cob 1 escudo graded NGC AU 58 (Lot 311). A selection of U.S. shipwreck coins from the S.S. New York, S.S. Central America, and the S.S. Republic are up for sale including a rare San Francisco Assay Office gold $10 graded PCGS XF45 recovered from the S.S. Central America (Lot 424).
Mexico Silver Cobs has a small but nice group of rare “Early” and “Late” Series Charles-Joanna reales (Lots 448-451). Within Lima Silver Cobs, there are several Philip II rarities including a 4 reales of Assayer Rincón plated in Grunthal-Sellschopp’s The Coinage of Peru (Lot 457) along with many more choice pieces pedigreed to the Luis R. Ponte Collection.
Our robust Potosí Silver Cobs section features more key coins from the Luis R. Ponte Collection including a Philip II cob 8 reales of assayer L (1st period) with denomination o-VIII over P-M to right, a rarity also plated in Grunthal-Sellschopp (Lot 518). A number of very rare Royals from the Potosí Mint are being offered: Watch for the finest known 1704/3 Y cob 8 reales Royal graded NGC AU 55 (Lot 654) and the extremely rare 1709 Y cob 8 reales Heart ex-von Schuckmann (Lot 655) in this section.
Several very important collections are featured in World Coins including the Jorge Becerra Collection of Colombian Colonial Coins, the JEAS Collection of Gold Coins of Independent Colombia, Part I of the Emilio M. Ortiz Collection of Gold Coins, and Part I of the John M. O’Brien Reference Collection of Peruvian Coins. Collectors of classic Chinese coin rarities should watch for Lots 870 through 911 for numerous vintage Chinese coins from the imperial and republican eras with particular highlights being the eye-appealing Tsao-Kun military attire silver dollar of 1923 graded PCGS MS 64 (Lot 906) and the ever-popular Kweichow Year 17 (1928) “Auto” dollar graded PCGS VF 30 (Lot 909). A key coin in this session is the rare Jamaica GR countermarked of 1758 on a Lima, Peru, gold bust 8 escudos of 1751 J graded NGC c/s AU strong pedigreed to the Farouk and Rudman collections (Lot 1282). Spanish gold milled 8 escudos are well represented with several finest known and “top pop” pieces up for bidding including the gorgeous and finest known Seville, Spain, 1714 M gold 8 escudos graded NGC MS 65 (Lot 1429). Chile is another very strong area in this sale with many Spanish colonial and Republic gold and silver types available for the expert collector including the very rare Coquimbo 1828 TH “volcano” peso graded NGC AU 50 (Lot 830).
The curated Medals and Decorations section hosts several tough Bolivian medals and orders including a gold Ingaví millitary decoration of 1841 (Lot 1458). We also present another selection of Admiral Vernon medals from the prestigious John Adams Collection (Lots 1465-1486). Within U.S. Coins, Medals, and Tokens there are several important early American rarities, notably an amazing 1787 Fugio cent graded NGC MS 66 Brown—a lofty “top pop” grade for this historical type (Lot 1500). Other highlights include a 1883-S gold $20 double eagle graded PCGS AU53 from the Saddle Ridge Hoard (Lot 1490) as well as an 1894 gold proof $2½ quarter eagle graded NGC PF 58 (Lot 1491). The U.S. Paper Money section has several tough Obsoletes including two Civil War-era State of Florida notes (Lots 1506 and 1507). World Paper Money hosts many beautiful, high-grade, Latin American specimens and proofs including the finest known Costa Rica Banco Mercantil specimen 20 colones graded PMG Superb Gem UNC 67 EPQ (Lot 1523) and a very rare PMG-graded set of five Dominican Republic progressive proofs from 1978-1982 (Lot 1536).
The fifth session of our sale starts with Ancient and Medieval coins with many popular Ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine designs, including a beautifully toned Imperial Roman silver “elephant” denarius of Julius Caesar (Lot 1561) and a lustrous NGC-graded Mint State Byzantine Empire gold solidus of Justinian II (Lot 1565). Following that, the popular Coin Jewelry section hosts many gold and silver shipwreck, Spanish colonial, and ancient coins mounted into settings and ready for wearing.
This auction has a very strong Shipwreck Artifacts section featuring many pieces from the Concepción salvage work done by Captain Tracy Bowden as well as pieces he recovered from Bannister’s pirate ship Golden Fleece sunk off the Dominican Republic in 1686—an historic first offering of a new pirate shipwreck!—in addition to items from the Guadalupe and Tolosa of 1724. The Non-Wreck Artifacts section holds an array of fossils (Lots 1640-1650) as well as historical items like a sword presented in 1856 to Heinrich Halfeld for engineering work in Minas Gerais, Brazil (Lot 1654). We close out the sale with the online-only Express session featuring over 400 lots from all categories.
We wish you all good luck and hope you find the next great treasures for your collection in this sale!

For more details about the auction email us or call us.

Event Summary
Start Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 (Lot viewing and educations talks)

Educational Talks:
2:00 – 2:45 PM: Jorge Becerra Leon (Bogotá,) – “Colonial Colombian Coins”
3:00 – 3:45 PM: Jorge Ugaz (Lima,) – “The Cob Coinage of El Peru” (Spanish)
4:00 – 4:45 PM: Ignacio Gutierrez (Madrid) – “Los Doblones de a Ocho”
5:00 – 5:45 PM: Emilio M. Ortiz (Puerto Rico,) – “Gold Coinage of The Caribbean”
6:00 – 6:20 PM: Charlie Winn – (Representing The 1715 Fleet Society)
6:45 – 8:00 PM: Invitation-only cocktail reception at SpringHill Suites.

Thursday, November 7, 2024
9:00 AM: Floor auction with live internet bidding begins Gold Cobs | Shipwreck Ingots | Shipwreck Coins | Silver Cobs by mint

Friday, November 8, 2024
9:00 AM: Floor auction with live internet bidding continues:
World Coins (by country) | Medals and Decorations | U.S. Coins | Paper Money
Ancient Coins | Coin Jewelry | Artifacts

9:00 PM: Express Session (selected items from all categories)

Saturday, November 9, 2024
9:00 – 11:30 AM: Lot pick-up

For Hotel reservations please follow this LINK

SpringHill Suites Winter Park 1127 North Orlando Avenue | Winter Park, Florida, USA, 32789

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400-year-old gold bar from famous shipwreck to be sold in May auction

26 Apr

When the Spanish treasure galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha sank in 1622 off what is now Key West, Florida, she took down untold treasures in gold and silver. And now a particularly famous piece of treasure from the wreck is crossing the auction block.

One of the largest gold bars ever recovered from a Spanish colonial shipwreck is up for sale on May 7th in an auction conducted by Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC in Winter Park, Florida.

The gold bar, listed in the sale as lot 96, weighs over 5 pounds (2,274 grams), measures 8-3/4” x 1-1/2” x ¾”, and consists of 17-karat gold mined in the New World. The unique bar features eight circular royal tax stamps bearing the King of Spain’s name as PHILIPPVS III along with five XVII (17-karat) gold fineness markings. The bar also possesses a single foundry and assayer mark reading SEBATN / ESPANOL at the center, a mark that is both unattributed and only found on two gold bars recovered from the Atocha.

This 5-pound gold bar recovered from the famous Atocha shipwreck sunk in 1622 is up for auction on May 7th in Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC’s Treasure Auction 35

The gold bar’s pre-auction estimate is $200,000 and up.

“This Atocha gold bar is a crowning treasure piece from the most popular salvaged shipwreck treasure ever,” said Daniel Frank Sedwick, owner and founder of the auction firm. “With its high intrinsic value in Spanish colonial gold plus its incredible historical value, it will be a trophy piece for its next owner.”

The gold bar was created in the early 1600s at a Spanish colonial foundry processing gold and silver mined throughout South America. After being transported overland to Panama City, this gold bar, among others, was loaded in mid-1622 aboard the Spanish treasure galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The Atocha, a three-masted galleon constructed just two years prior, was to carrya vast treasure of gold and silver ingots, Colombian emeralds, and silver coins all bound for mainland Spain.

When the Atocha departed her final port at Havana, Cuba on September 4th, 1622, she was the almiranta, the lead ship, of the 28-ship 1622 Fleet. The Fleet was a vital link in Spain’s finances as the gold and silver from the New World funded the royal treasuries. In addition to the treasures on board, the Atocha carried her crew along with soldiers and passengers, around 265 people in all, intending to cross the Atlantic Ocean and return to Europe.

Just two days out from Havana, the Fleet was engulfed by a hurricane while approaching the Florida Straits. Amid the storm, the Atocha was wrecked and torn apart upon a reef off the Florida Keys. Only five people survived the sinking, having clung to the highest remaining mast of the ship as it sank. The wreck of the Atocha was further scattered just a month later during another storm, preventing the Spanish colonial authorities from salvaging any of her precious cargo spilled across the ocean floor.

“Atocha Meets Her Fate,” by Ralph Curnow (2009)

The treasure of the Atocha did not see light again until 1971, when the first coins were found by the now-famous salvager Mel Fisher and his divers. Throughout legal battles and personal tragedies, the salvage group eventually recovered the bulk of the treasure in 1985 and thereby unleashed the largest supply of silver cobs and ingots the market has ever seen.

This gold bar will be auctioned along with its photo-certificate issued by the Fisher salvage company in 1985. The bar also boasts a pedigree to the Christie’s Atocha auction of June 1988 as lot 90.

Other treasures from the Atocha in the upcoming Sedwick auction include:

– a large silver ingot from Oruro weighing over 88 troy pounds (Lot 105) estimated at $30,000 and up.

– a silver ingot from Potosí weighing over 82 troy pounds (Lot 106) estimated at $25,000 and up.

This large silver “piña” ingot weighing 5,335 grams, one of just three recovered from the Atocha shipwreck, is also featured in auction

– a very rare silver piña ingot, one of only three known from the Atocha, weighing 5,335 grams (Lot 107) estimated at $15,000 and up.

– over 180 silver coins from Potosí, Mexico City, and Lima including 19 high grade pieces from the Bill Barman Collection of Atocha Research Coins

“To have this amazing gold bar alongside all these other treasure pieces from Atocha in a single auction is a feat not seen on this market in decades,” said Sedwick. “And it won’t be seen again anytime soon.”

The three-day auction will be held live online at auction.sedwickcoins.com. The Atocha gold bar can be viewed on the auction site here: https://auction.sedwickcoins.com/Large-gold-ingot-77-2274-grams-marked-with-fineness-XVII-17K-foundry-assayer-cartouche-SEBATN_i52415344. For more information, contact Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC by email at office@sedwickcoins.com.

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