Silver Bar

Accession Number2019.005.0001

VesselNuestra Señora de Atocha (1622)

DescriptionA silver ingot recovered from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. It is ingot number 301 (see the “CCCI” mark stamped into the upper surface), and it was being shipped by South American merchant Miguel de Uzarraga. It was cast at the Andean city of Potosí from silver mined at the famed Cerro Rico, a veritable mountain of silver. Uzarraga’s “AL” shipper’s mark is prominent on the surface. Silvermaster Jacomo de Vreder's distinctive "V" mark is just next to Uzarraga's, indicating the bar was officially registered on the galleon. The ingot was to be received in Spain by a D. Rodriguez. Dimensions: 34.5 cm L x 12.8 cm W x 8.6 cm H x 29.05 kg. This ingot was donated by Mr. Jerry Shapiro to the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in 2019.