Colonial America
Nuestra Senora de Atocha Shipwreck Natural 9.61c Emerald
Natural Emerald recovered from the famous Spanish treasure galleon "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" Shipwreck, stated to be a Colombian Rough Emerald of 9.61 carat, together with printed Certificate of Authenticity Signed with a Printed, "Mel Fisher" as President, Very Fine.
The printed Certificate shows a general color photo image of some emeralds, however we note that this particular Certificate does not match the heavier weight of this specific emerald. It does certainly appear to be fully authentic, as Early American History Auctions held a specialized "Atocha" auction in conjunction with the 1983 American Numismatic Association's national convention held in San Diego. A nice emerald with a historic provenance to the Atocha and Mel Fisher. (2 items)
The Nuestra Seora de Atocha was a Spanish treasure galleon that sank off the coast of the Florida Keys in 1622.
The Nuestra Seora de Atocha was part of the Spanish fleet that transported riches from the New World back to Spain. It was one of the largest and most heavily armed ships of its time, measuring over 100 feet in length and carrying substantial cargo.
On September 6, 1622, while returning to Spain from the New World, the Atocha encountered a hurricane off the Florida Keys. The violent storm caused the ship to founder and sink, resulting in the loss of most of its crew and cargo. The Atocha was one of several Spanish ships that sank in the same storm, collectively known as the 1622 Fleet.
The Atocha was laden with a vast treasure, including gold, silver, precious gems, and other valuable cargo from the Americas. Estimates of the treasure's worth vary widely, but it is believed to have been one of the richest shipwrecks in history.
The wreck of the Nuestra Seora de Atocha remained undiscovered for over 360 years until it was located by treasure hunter Mel Fisher and his team in 1985. Fisher had spent decades searching for the Atocha and other ships of the 1622 Fleet, facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way.
The discovery of the Atocha sparked a frenzy of salvage activity, as treasure hunters and archaeologists worked to recover artifacts and treasure from the sunken ship. The salvage operation yielded an incredible array of gold and silver coins, jewelry, pottery, and other artifacts, providing valuable insights into Spanish colonial history and maritime trade.
The Nuestra Seora de Atocha has captured the public imagination as a symbol of lost treasure and maritime adventure. The story of the Atocha and its discovery continues to fascinate people around the world, and artifacts from the wreck are displayed in museums and collections worldwide.