This weekend the crew of Mel Fisher’s Treasures’ salvage vessel J.B. Magruder struck gold and found
a 12-inch gold bar estimated to be approximately 3 pounds on the wreck site of the Nuestra Senora de
Atocha; 35 miles off the coast of Key West. Captain Andy Matroci, first mate William Burt and
crewmembers Ryan Stapula, Scott Lang and Charles Craig uncovered this large gold bar and a
small handful of silver coins.
The bar is approximately 12 inches in length and although there is no scale on board the salvage
vessel it is larger than most we have found and is estimated to be 3 pounds. There are clearly
visible tax stamps on the bar along with Roman numeral karat markings indicating it is 23-karat
gold which is quite high considering 24 karats is pure gold. There are other unique markings on
this bar that will be investigated by our Head Conservator John Corcoran upon its arrival in the
conservation lab.
The area where the find was made is the farthest north we have found gold on the Atocha trail and
it is just south of the northernmost silver coin found to date. The Atocha trail continues to produce
valuable treasure pieces as well as unique historical artifacts as we search for the other half of the
ship known as the Sterncastle. To view images Click Here!
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