Renowned Cuban jeweler in Miami, Carlos Marcelín, recently unveiled a captivating video alongside expert and collector Antonio Sánchez Bretón. The footage showcases an authentic 17th-century silver bar, cast in Potosí (modern-day Bolivia) in 1622, which belonged to the historic Spanish galleon "Nuestra Señora de Atocha" that met its watery fate off the coast of Florida.
Shared on Marcelín's Instagram, the video has garnered over 60,000 likes, capturing the fascination of history buffs, numismatists, and aficionados of colonial treasures.
A Glimpse into History
In the video, Marcelín and Sánchez Bretón meticulously describe this remarkable artifact. “What you see here is a silver bar crafted in Potosí. These bars have numerous distinctive features. This particular one was made in 1622, and the 'P' marks it as from Potosí,” detailed the collector.
The piece reportedly weighs between 15 and 90 troy pounds, an ancient measurement for precious metals. In 2025, this silver bar is valued at approximately $100,000. Jokingly, Marcelín offered, "Can we make a deal right now? I'll give you $80,000 for it.”
The Legacy of the Atocha
This relic bears the manifest number 899, identifying it as one of the 1,038 bars retrieved from the Atocha by legendary treasure hunter Mel Fisher in 1985. It also retains its original foundry marks, purity control stamps, and the insignia of the silver master responsible for its creation.
Marcelín, visibly moved while holding the bar, expressed, “I've never seen anything like this. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Assessing Authenticity
The expert elaborated on the colonial method used to verify metal quality. “This is the 'assay bite'—a small indentation. The person checking the silver quality would sample it to verify purity, and this was the basis for their pay.”
Beyond its monetary value, this piece holds immense historical and cultural significance, as emphasized by specialists.
The Legend of "Nuestra Señora de Atocha"
"Nuestra Señora de Atocha" was among the galleons transporting the Spanish Empire's treasure from the Americas to Spain. It sank in 1622 near the Florida Keys, laden with tons of gold, silver, and precious stones.
Its discovery in 1985 by Mel Fisher is hailed as one of the 20th century's most significant underwater archaeological finds.
Understanding the Value and History of the Atocha Silver Bar
What makes the silver bar from "Nuestra Señora de Atocha" historically significant?
The silver bar is part of the treasure from the galleon "Nuestra Señora de Atocha," which sank in 1622 while carrying vast amounts of precious metals and gems for the Spanish Empire. Its discovery has provided valuable insights into the trade and economy of the colonial era.
How was the authenticity of the silver bar verified?
The authenticity was confirmed through the 'assay bite,' a traditional method where a small indentation was made to verify the metal's purity, along with original foundry marks and purity control stamps.