^Lot 69 Encrusted large silver bar 505, 53 lb 5.48 oz troy (20 kg), fineness unknown, no visible markings, e

Encrusted large silver bar 505, 53 lb 5.48 oz troy (20 kg), fineness unknown, no visible markings, ex-Santa Margarita (1622), ex-Morse. 15" x 5" x 2½". It is hard to know what to make of this bar! For starters, it is one of very few bars that Treasure Salvors left totally encrusted, just as it was found in 1980 (the "mini-mother lode" find when the shipwreck was confirmed to be Santa Margarita), its special nature evident far ahead of our time of XRF testing, which indicates the surface content (in the few places where the silver is exposed) to be as little as 40% silver and as much as 36% lead, with a gold content between 2.5% and 5%! Our best conclusion, especially considering a 78% copper ridge within the white crust on top, is that this silver bar was either contained in some sort of special box or was wrapped in lead, either way almost certainly contraband. While a small section of the top edge has been cleaned to show the dark silver (same for an area on the bottom where Treasure Salvors stamped the number 505, matching a sticker on top), the next owner might consider carefully cleaning off more of the top crust to see what markings are underneath, maybe even a double-scoop assayer's "bite" for Potosí, considering there does not seem to be any cylindrical version (for Oruro) on either end. In the meantime this unique piece makes for a great "au naturel" display with mysteries within. Note: The certificate inexplicably gives the weight as "43 lbs [av] [or] 638.68 Troy Ounces," whereas our own measurement is 641.48 oz troy (53 lb 5.48 oz troy). From the Santa Margarita (1622), with original Fisher photo-certificate 505-M-80 dated November 1, 1982, pedigreed to the J.M. Morse III Collection.