Silver Bar Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.003.0006
Category
Creation Date
circa 1620
Materials
Description
Silver ingot number 120 (note the Roman numeral CXX stamp) recovered from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The ingot was cast in the Andean mining city of Oruro and was being shipped to Spain by Gaspar de Rojas on the account of a man named F. Ramos. Rojas’ mark is the prominent “Rx” and Ramos’ mark is the “F.” Other marks include tax stamps, the purity value, Atocha silvermaster Jacove de Vreder’s “V,” and the assayer’s “scoop,” where a sample of silver was removed at the foundry for purity testing. The ingot is 38.4 centimeters long and weighs 34.9 kilograms (76.95 pounds).

Dimensions

12.2 cm W x 38.5 cm L , Item (Overall)

2.44 kg Weight

8.6 cm Thickness

38.5 x 12.2 x 8.6 cm. 78.56 troy pounds, 2.44 kilograms, 64.64 Pounds.

Exhibition Label
Case Caption (2023):

A Colonist— Gaspar De Rojas

Gaspar de Rojas had immigrated to Peru with his family as a boy, and lived in Lima, where he had become a prominent merchant. He imported textiles and other manufactured goods from Europe and also traded in leather, wax, and fur. He was the agent responsible for a consignment of 100 silver ingots on the Santa Margarita, and 11 on the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

De Rojas had risked the transatlantic voyage several times. Records state that in 1616 he returned to Peru from Spain accompanied by his bookkeeper and an enslaved mulatto man. In 1620, he sailed with an enslaved African named Felipe Biafra. Aboard the Santa Margarita, he was traveling with his nephew, don Francisco de Rojas. They both drowned in the shipwreck.
Object Caption (2023): 

Ingot
Silver (1621)
Gift of Mel and Dolores Fisher
1986.003.0006

Marked with  the “RX” logo of Gaspar de Rojas.
Previous Exhibit Case Caption: Removed March 29, 2023 Silver Ingots Recovered from Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita Gifts of Mel and Doloras Fisher, Jamestown Treasure Salvors, Kim Fisher, Paul Wimmler, Wayne Densch, John Scott, Joseph S. Hoffman, Edwin and Jane Davis, Demosthenes Molinar, George Breed, and Norman Johnson. The Atocha carried 1.038 silver ingots, mostly from the rich silver mines at Potosi and Orunro. Each ingot weight about 70 pounds, with a collective weight of over 34 tons. What was an ingot’s value? A sailor’s monthly salary in 1622 was about 3.5 ounces of silver. A single bar, therefore, would represent 26 years of pay. “If God brings the ship safely to Spain.” – Jacove de Vreder, Atocha Maestre de Plata The duty of the ship’s silvermaster, or maestre de plata, was to track the details of the valuable cargo and ensure its safe arrival. Lists were created as the items were brought aboard the noted owners, descriptions, registry numbers, and other pertinent information. This manifest, or registro, was used to confirm the items safe arrival, then it was filed with government officials. Silvermasters earned their salary based on the amount of treasure a ship carried. The silvermaster on the Atocha, Javove de Vreder, would have earned a sizeable income, but he and the treasure cargo were both lost as sea when the Atocha sank. Official shipments abord the Atocha included the following cargo” • Payments to King Philip IV of Spain • From the City of Lima collected for fines and sales tax, • From the City of Potosi on mined silver (133 ingots) • From the Cartagena de Indias on 1.400 African slaves (1 chest of ingots) • Revenues from papal indulgences for the Catholic Church • Personal shipment by Lorenzo de Arriola of Potosi (60 ingots) • Personal shipment by Martin & Marie Salgado of Lima (15 ingots) • Personal shipment by Simon de Torres of Oruro 95 ingots) • Private shipment to establish a priest’s residence in Spain 93 ingots) • Silver items of Doña Isabel de Pernia (35 lbs) Silver Tax The Spanish government assessed a tax known as the quinto real, or royal fifth. It required payment of 20% the value of each silver ingot shipped. A round stamp distinguished the bars whose owners had paid the royal tax. In addition, a six percent freight and transportation fee was also assessed. This fee went into a common fund to pay for the protection of the ships. These silver bars also bear a large “V,” probably the mark of the Atocha silvermaster Jacove de Vreder. He would have stamped his mark after registering the silver ingots, noting the payments of fees and taxes.
Previous Exhibit Case Caption: Removed March 29, 2023 Shipped by G.de Rojas for S. Gonzales, F. Ramos, J.de San Miguel, J. Fernandez