When the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora De Atocha set sail from the New World in 1622, during the reign of King Phillip IV, she was destined for Spain. Ships from Spain would bring supplies to the colonists, and the return voyages would be loaded with silver, copper, gold and agricultural products.
Beginning with the discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1492, Spanish explorers came to settle in the new territory. Columbus visited Portobello , Panama in 1502. Havana was founded in 1515, Panama City in 1519, and Cartagena in 1533. Colonial mints were established in Mexico City in 1521, Lima in 1535, Santa Fe de Bogota in 1538, and Potossi in 1545.
The return voyage to Spain was fraught with danger from pirates, warring Nations, and severe weather. A fleet of 28 ships, with the heavily armed Atocha as Almiranta, or guard ship at the rear, left on September 4, 1622. The Atocha's 20 massive bronze cannons and 82 infantrymen were helpless and powerless in the face of the raging hurricane of 1622.
The beautiful and heavily armed Atocha was the ship of choice for nobility, wealthy merchants and government officials. Consequently, the Atocha carried a vast amount of personal wealth and jewelry, along with the massive on-board treasure. On September 5, 1622 the Atocha succumbed to the ferocious winds and disappeared into a boiling sea.
The shipwreck of the Nuestra Senora De Atocha eluded discovery, and became so shrouded in mystery for three and one-half centuries, it came to be known as the Ghost Galleon.
After 16 years of searching, Mel Fisher located the Atocha in July of 1985 to worldwide fanfare and publicity. The Atocha (Ghost Galleon) was no longer a mirage or imaginary phantom. Mel went on to achieve fame as the world's greatest treasure hunter; and along the way, was kind enough to help this writer with a fledgling business dedicated to bringing the Atocha treasure, in the form of authentic jewelry crafted from the treasure bullion, to the American public.
I dedicate the following lines to the late Mel Fisher:
The Ghost Galleon
Through the years that Fisher spent
In search of HIS shipwreck
No lucid dream- the lure was real
Like cannons on ship deck
Today's the day- or so he thought
Path clues would disappear
The galleon moved- or so it seemed
Elusive- and yet so near
For sixteen years the sea hid back
Atocha's secret hold
The pirates quest- the treasure chest
And ghostly stories told
The eery mist gave up one day
Something less surreal
The silver, gold and copper too
The ghost Mel found was real.
Jack Magne'
Our newest offering is a line of jewelry appropriately named The Ghost Galleon Collection
We are proud to make available the world's first combining of the silver and copper bullion loaded into the lower hold of the Atocha; and lost at sea in 1622.
The ingots are melted and hand cast by separate silver and coppersmiths into authentic components- and then masterfully fit and finished as incomparable works of history and art.
www.preciousmetaladvocates.com features Ghost Galleon Collection on their web site.
Smooth Sailing, Jack Magne'
Showing posts with label Atocha Gold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atocha Gold. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHIPWRECKED TREASURE
As we pause briefly from our series of commentaries on famous people, we will take this opportunity to inform our regular, and new readers of some very interesting facts regarding the cargo, or "treasure" loaded aboard the Spanish Galleon Atocha which sailed and sank in the raging hurricane of 1622. We will also touch on Jack Magne's early, and continuing effort of bringing the Atocha treasure to America at affordable prices.
Included in the lower hold of the Atocha; arguably the most famous sailing galleon of all time, were 1000 silver bars and 582 copper ingots. The copper was loaded on-board in Havana in the year 1622; the Atocha's final stop before sailing to Spain. The ingots had an average weight of 54.2 pounds, and were loaded adjacent and to the north of the silver bars. The two cargoes complemented each other by providing a balanced load for steady sailing. This special copper was mined at Caridad del Cobre, owned by the Crown, in Southeastern Cuba. Just three ships carried this Royal cargo of copper in the 1622 Tierra Firme Flota : Atocha, Santa Margarita and the Rosario. The primary reason for shipping copper to Spain was for use in the manufacturing of the huge bronze 2000 pound cannons used to defend the ships against pirates and other warring factions of the day. In the second decade of the seventeenth century, the Crown's New World revenues were in decline, and as silver became more scarce, copper based coins were also minted in Spain.
In about 1986, a very interesting discovery was made by Mel Fisher's Maritime Heritage Society regarding the copper ingots' composition. A random sampling of 5 ingots revealed small, but significant percentages of gold. Measurements between approximately one- half to one per cent gold per bar represented as much as $ 10,000.00 per bar, just in gold, at today's value. It cannot be assured all 582 ingots had this amount of gold, since only 5 were tested, but for some, this unknown dimension actually enhances the mystery surrounding this rare cargo. It is also impossible to quantify the excitement that exists in the hearts of many people when they just contemplate the possibility of possessing their very own slice of history.
The silver ingots averaged about 65 pounds and most were owned by private merchants. One hundred thirty three bars were owned by King Phillip IV, Spain's reigning King at the time. Most of the silver bars were mined in Potossi, present day Bolivia; then moved to Portobello, a Caribbean port in what is now the Republic of Panama. Many exotic and identifying stamps and markings were placed on the bars. Manifest numbers, mint marks, tax stamps, "tax bite" and even owner's monogram or initials were common inscriptions.
Mel Fisher located the 1622 shipwreck in 1985 after an arduous sixteen year quest. Mel's battle for ownership only enhanced his reputation as the courageous, feisty treasure hunter who battled the detractors, and the State of Florida over ownership.
Mel emerged victorious against all odds, and took possession of the $ 400 million dollar bounty.
Enter Jack Magne', a history buff and marketing entrepreneur who had followed Fisher's exploits in National Geographics, and other publications. Once treasure is found, attention often turns to marketing. Jack met Fisher at an auction in Las Vegas in 1988, and discussed his plan to liquidate some of the Atocha shipwreck bullion by casting into authentic designs- rings, earrings, crosses,coins, pendants and the like. Fisher invited Magne' to Key West to discuss his plan. Months passed and when Magne' visited Fisher in Key West, it wasn't as easy as he had thought. Fisher announced through his secretary that he was too busy to meet. What happened next might drive home the importance of the written word, or it may just show what is meant to be- will be.
Jack pulled out a copy of a poem he had written called " ATOCHA'S LEGACY " . The poem recounted the Atocha story from loading of the ship in 1622 through the shipwreck, to Fisher's involvement, and finally exploring what it means to seek treasure- and then to finally touch it. He asked the secretary to just give Mr. Fisher his personalized copy, done on parchment. The young lady complied and entered Mel's office. The door was closed- Jack did not move.
A few minutes later Mel Fisher emerged with a smile and a hand shake. Treasure Sails, Inc. was born.
This is what Mel had read:
ATOCHA'S LEGACY
The silver stacked by muscled men
Who breathed the summer air
The smiles and dreams of home again
From Portobello fair
The merchants' busy thoughts of trade
The silver master's count
As tons of precious cargo laid
And weather worries mount
The sweat and thoughts of glory too
Would fill September's sails
They left in 1622
And faced the stormy gales
The destination said to be
From Cartagena's shore
A stop in Cuba; then for home
Spain's King could wait no more
Three centuries and more had passed
Before the ship was found
Determination brought Mel there
Dreams and destiny bound
The throb of life recorded there
Within the cargo pressed
A history for all who care
To seek a treasure chest
For when we feel
What they touched then
In a sense
They live again
Jack Magne'
www.preciousmetaladvocates.com is now featuring Jack's entire line of jewelry hand cast from the Atocha's shipwrecked bullion. A very special presentation called the Ghost Galleon collection, is the newest offering from Treasure Sails, Inc. featuring the first available combination of both Atocha copper and Atocha silver in the same piece. A fitting ultimate destination, and destiny, for cargo that traveled side-by-side all those centuries ago.
This line has been years in the making, and requires separate casting, of copper and silver components by master copper and silversmiths working at separate locations, but with single-minded determination to achieve outstanding quality at an affordable price. Truly " Fit for a King"- or Queen.
We are now restoring, and combining some of Jack's and Mel's joint appearances on TV during early promotional tours as Mel assisted Jack in his pioneering efforts to bring the treasure of the Atocha to America. Please look for this footage on www.preciousmetaladvocates.com web site in the near future.
Smooth Sailing,
Jack Magne'
Included in the lower hold of the Atocha; arguably the most famous sailing galleon of all time, were 1000 silver bars and 582 copper ingots. The copper was loaded on-board in Havana in the year 1622; the Atocha's final stop before sailing to Spain. The ingots had an average weight of 54.2 pounds, and were loaded adjacent and to the north of the silver bars. The two cargoes complemented each other by providing a balanced load for steady sailing. This special copper was mined at Caridad del Cobre, owned by the Crown, in Southeastern Cuba. Just three ships carried this Royal cargo of copper in the 1622 Tierra Firme Flota : Atocha, Santa Margarita and the Rosario. The primary reason for shipping copper to Spain was for use in the manufacturing of the huge bronze 2000 pound cannons used to defend the ships against pirates and other warring factions of the day. In the second decade of the seventeenth century, the Crown's New World revenues were in decline, and as silver became more scarce, copper based coins were also minted in Spain.
In about 1986, a very interesting discovery was made by Mel Fisher's Maritime Heritage Society regarding the copper ingots' composition. A random sampling of 5 ingots revealed small, but significant percentages of gold. Measurements between approximately one- half to one per cent gold per bar represented as much as $ 10,000.00 per bar, just in gold, at today's value. It cannot be assured all 582 ingots had this amount of gold, since only 5 were tested, but for some, this unknown dimension actually enhances the mystery surrounding this rare cargo. It is also impossible to quantify the excitement that exists in the hearts of many people when they just contemplate the possibility of possessing their very own slice of history.
The silver ingots averaged about 65 pounds and most were owned by private merchants. One hundred thirty three bars were owned by King Phillip IV, Spain's reigning King at the time. Most of the silver bars were mined in Potossi, present day Bolivia; then moved to Portobello, a Caribbean port in what is now the Republic of Panama. Many exotic and identifying stamps and markings were placed on the bars. Manifest numbers, mint marks, tax stamps, "tax bite" and even owner's monogram or initials were common inscriptions.
Mel Fisher located the 1622 shipwreck in 1985 after an arduous sixteen year quest. Mel's battle for ownership only enhanced his reputation as the courageous, feisty treasure hunter who battled the detractors, and the State of Florida over ownership.
Mel emerged victorious against all odds, and took possession of the $ 400 million dollar bounty.
Enter Jack Magne', a history buff and marketing entrepreneur who had followed Fisher's exploits in National Geographics, and other publications. Once treasure is found, attention often turns to marketing. Jack met Fisher at an auction in Las Vegas in 1988, and discussed his plan to liquidate some of the Atocha shipwreck bullion by casting into authentic designs- rings, earrings, crosses,coins, pendants and the like. Fisher invited Magne' to Key West to discuss his plan. Months passed and when Magne' visited Fisher in Key West, it wasn't as easy as he had thought. Fisher announced through his secretary that he was too busy to meet. What happened next might drive home the importance of the written word, or it may just show what is meant to be- will be.
Jack pulled out a copy of a poem he had written called " ATOCHA'S LEGACY " . The poem recounted the Atocha story from loading of the ship in 1622 through the shipwreck, to Fisher's involvement, and finally exploring what it means to seek treasure- and then to finally touch it. He asked the secretary to just give Mr. Fisher his personalized copy, done on parchment. The young lady complied and entered Mel's office. The door was closed- Jack did not move.
A few minutes later Mel Fisher emerged with a smile and a hand shake. Treasure Sails, Inc. was born.
This is what Mel had read:
ATOCHA'S LEGACY
The silver stacked by muscled men
Who breathed the summer air
The smiles and dreams of home again
From Portobello fair
The merchants' busy thoughts of trade
The silver master's count
As tons of precious cargo laid
And weather worries mount
The sweat and thoughts of glory too
Would fill September's sails
They left in 1622
And faced the stormy gales
The destination said to be
From Cartagena's shore
A stop in Cuba; then for home
Spain's King could wait no more
Three centuries and more had passed
Before the ship was found
Determination brought Mel there
Dreams and destiny bound
The throb of life recorded there
Within the cargo pressed
A history for all who care
To seek a treasure chest
For when we feel
What they touched then
In a sense
They live again
Jack Magne'
www.preciousmetaladvocates.com is now featuring Jack's entire line of jewelry hand cast from the Atocha's shipwrecked bullion. A very special presentation called the Ghost Galleon collection, is the newest offering from Treasure Sails, Inc. featuring the first available combination of both Atocha copper and Atocha silver in the same piece. A fitting ultimate destination, and destiny, for cargo that traveled side-by-side all those centuries ago.
This line has been years in the making, and requires separate casting, of copper and silver components by master copper and silversmiths working at separate locations, but with single-minded determination to achieve outstanding quality at an affordable price. Truly " Fit for a King"- or Queen.
We are now restoring, and combining some of Jack's and Mel's joint appearances on TV during early promotional tours as Mel assisted Jack in his pioneering efforts to bring the treasure of the Atocha to America. Please look for this footage on www.preciousmetaladvocates.com web site in the near future.
Smooth Sailing,
Jack Magne'
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Paul McCartney and Lady GaGa Enter the Hall of Shame
For those who have not followed these essays, the Hall of Shame is a growing list of high-profile individuals who have been blacklisted from ever purchasing, borrowing or otherwise owning even a single piece of our exotic and historic jewelry.
The Ghost Galleon Collection is Treasure Sails, Inc's presentation of the world's only jewelry made from separate and beautifully contrasting components of rare silver and copper recovered from the 1622 shipwreck "Atocha". www.preciousmetaladvocates.com proudly presents the full line for your review.
We respectfully submit- The Hall of Shame should not be misconstrued as a mean-spirited attempt to single out any one person or persons without real provocation or just cause. We realize some of these people have wide appeal; with established fan bases; nevertheless, we will not knowingly engage in business with them, even if it means financial loss. Someone has to take a stand - and we are willing to do just that.
Charter members numbered 1, 2 and 3 are Madonna, David Letterman and Charlie Sheen
respectively. Justification for their membership is clearly stated in our previous essay titled: Celebrities Blacklisted by Jewelry Designer. New inductees are:
(4) Paul McCartney
On June 3, 2010, as America reeled from high unemployment, uncontrolled spending, record deficits, threats from abroad and an unprecedentedly massive oil spill in the Gulf- Sir Paul McCartney jetted into Washington to receive the prestigious Gershwin Award for Popular Song.
President Obama made the presentation of the Library of Congress Award to Sir Paul with such pomp and circumstance, any uninformed observer might have erroneously concluded Paul was an important Head of State. In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, one of our most important allies was recently left unattended and thoroughly snubbed.
This politically - loaded love fest was perhaps highlighted with Paul's saccharine serenade of the First Lady with her personal rendition of his Michelle (My Bell). All of this was perfectly fine, until McCartney felt compelled to fawn a little further and (referring to the Library of Congress), made the statement : " It is good that after the last 8 years, America has a President who knows what a library is." This was an obvious bash directed to our former President. This disrespectful comment was inappropriate and struck a decidedly discordant note. It is unseemly for anyone to come to the White House from another country, and then proceed to insult ANY of our Presidents. This remark alone qualifies McCartney for the Hall of Shame- There are other reasons; one does not have to look far.
It follows that those closest to us may know us best. Heather Mills, (also of Dancing With the Stars fame), in a highly publicized divorce proceeding, accused Sir Paul of any number of transgressions, including the following, and we quote: "McCartney was often drunk, smoked cannabis, stabbed her with a broken wine glass, pushed her over a table, and pushed her into a bath tub when she was pregnant with her daughter." Mills also stated: " I had to play full time psychologist to Paul." Mills is a partial amputee. Nice guy !
The Beatles , beginning around 1964, changed the music world with a collection of hits featuring smooth harmonies, interestingly arranged and pounded home by a pleasant foursome of mop-top lads with a British accent. When the Beatles sang I Want to Hold Your Hand, a generation of wildly appreciative and screaming fans enthusiastically
extended their hands- with pocketbooks. The rest, as they say, is history.
On the other hand, an often "pitchy" Paul McCartney- without the camouflaging influence of three other voices, may fall far short as a solo artist. The strained efforts seem overwrought, thin and shrill- with all the mellifluousness of fingernails dragging across a slate blackboard. He is certainly no Michael Buble' or Josh Groban. Members of a certain generation might find McCartney reminiscent of Tiny Tim- without the ukulele. Tiny Tim, however did not take himself nearly as seriously. No treasure for Paul.
(5) Lady Gaga
Madonna's heir apparent- Lady Gaga, is the current shock-phenomenon who says she owes her inspiration to Madonna, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Michael Jackson and others. The stage performances and videos feature Gaga's automaton like gyrations to a monotonous, relentless beat. The lyrics are (perhaps mercifully) unintelligible. Gaga's otherworldly costumes and cartoon-like presence are oddly suggestive of re-animated road-kill. The sometimes boring debate over whether this type of act is corruptive of the culture; or merely reflective of it- still rages. Either scenario is alarming. The Lady Gaga absurdity does not deserve more than one short paragraph. We hereby christen her outrageous act, and all others like it as Road-kill Rock.
Jack Magne'
The Ghost Galleon Collection is Treasure Sails, Inc's presentation of the world's only jewelry made from separate and beautifully contrasting components of rare silver and copper recovered from the 1622 shipwreck "Atocha". www.preciousmetaladvocates.com proudly presents the full line for your review.
We respectfully submit- The Hall of Shame should not be misconstrued as a mean-spirited attempt to single out any one person or persons without real provocation or just cause. We realize some of these people have wide appeal; with established fan bases; nevertheless, we will not knowingly engage in business with them, even if it means financial loss. Someone has to take a stand - and we are willing to do just that.
Charter members numbered 1, 2 and 3 are Madonna, David Letterman and Charlie Sheen
respectively. Justification for their membership is clearly stated in our previous essay titled: Celebrities Blacklisted by Jewelry Designer. New inductees are:
(4) Paul McCartney
On June 3, 2010, as America reeled from high unemployment, uncontrolled spending, record deficits, threats from abroad and an unprecedentedly massive oil spill in the Gulf- Sir Paul McCartney jetted into Washington to receive the prestigious Gershwin Award for Popular Song.
President Obama made the presentation of the Library of Congress Award to Sir Paul with such pomp and circumstance, any uninformed observer might have erroneously concluded Paul was an important Head of State. In contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, one of our most important allies was recently left unattended and thoroughly snubbed.
This politically - loaded love fest was perhaps highlighted with Paul's saccharine serenade of the First Lady with her personal rendition of his Michelle (My Bell). All of this was perfectly fine, until McCartney felt compelled to fawn a little further and (referring to the Library of Congress), made the statement : " It is good that after the last 8 years, America has a President who knows what a library is." This was an obvious bash directed to our former President. This disrespectful comment was inappropriate and struck a decidedly discordant note. It is unseemly for anyone to come to the White House from another country, and then proceed to insult ANY of our Presidents. This remark alone qualifies McCartney for the Hall of Shame- There are other reasons; one does not have to look far.
It follows that those closest to us may know us best. Heather Mills, (also of Dancing With the Stars fame), in a highly publicized divorce proceeding, accused Sir Paul of any number of transgressions, including the following, and we quote: "McCartney was often drunk, smoked cannabis, stabbed her with a broken wine glass, pushed her over a table, and pushed her into a bath tub when she was pregnant with her daughter." Mills also stated: " I had to play full time psychologist to Paul." Mills is a partial amputee. Nice guy !
The Beatles , beginning around 1964, changed the music world with a collection of hits featuring smooth harmonies, interestingly arranged and pounded home by a pleasant foursome of mop-top lads with a British accent. When the Beatles sang I Want to Hold Your Hand, a generation of wildly appreciative and screaming fans enthusiastically
extended their hands- with pocketbooks. The rest, as they say, is history.
On the other hand, an often "pitchy" Paul McCartney- without the camouflaging influence of three other voices, may fall far short as a solo artist. The strained efforts seem overwrought, thin and shrill- with all the mellifluousness of fingernails dragging across a slate blackboard. He is certainly no Michael Buble' or Josh Groban. Members of a certain generation might find McCartney reminiscent of Tiny Tim- without the ukulele. Tiny Tim, however did not take himself nearly as seriously. No treasure for Paul.
(5) Lady Gaga
Madonna's heir apparent- Lady Gaga, is the current shock-phenomenon who says she owes her inspiration to Madonna, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Michael Jackson and others. The stage performances and videos feature Gaga's automaton like gyrations to a monotonous, relentless beat. The lyrics are (perhaps mercifully) unintelligible. Gaga's otherworldly costumes and cartoon-like presence are oddly suggestive of re-animated road-kill. The sometimes boring debate over whether this type of act is corruptive of the culture; or merely reflective of it- still rages. Either scenario is alarming. The Lady Gaga absurdity does not deserve more than one short paragraph. We hereby christen her outrageous act, and all others like it as Road-kill Rock.
Jack Magne'
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