^Lot 75 Gold oval ingot from the Luz, 1126.09 grams, 0.909 fine gold (21.816K), marked with XX

Gold oval ingot, 1126.09 grams, tested at 0.909 fine gold (21.816K), marked with V-over-upside-down-V monogram and XXXXVI, ex-Luz (1752), ex-Sotheby's. 4" x 3-1/4" in diameter and up to 3/4" thick. Slightly irregular in shape but with very smooth top from hammering in its time (the bottom left in its natural, pitted state), possessing very deeply engraved markings that stand for a serial number 46 and an owner or consignor whose name or "call sign" looks like XX but is really a V over an upside-down V (if you follow the serifs in the corners), also with traces of barnacle "footprints" here and there, no tax stamps or cuts (as probably contraband and/or connected to Jesuit missions) but with light file marks where the metal was tested contemporaneously in a couple of areas on the edge, a very attractive ingot that contains much intrinsic value in a small and manageable size. From the Luz (1752), pedigreed to Sotheby's Uruguayan Treasure of the River Plate auction of March 1993, with original lot-tag 245 and Sotheby's catalog.