oddapp
Jr. Member
- Mar 20, 2015
- 41
- 13
- Detector(s) used
- Whites MXT
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
On Friday I went to the Mel Fisher Museum in Key West to create a virtual museum tour for the Treasurenet community. I go there 2 or 3 times a year and I recommend this museum to friends and family visiting me in Key West. On Friday I had a special mission: taking some photos for the Tnet community giving an idea about the treasure Mel Fisher found in 1985:
The Atocha ship wreck, a treasure ship full of gold, silver, gemstones and other treasure. Experts see the total value of all items in the range of $500 million.
The Museum, in Key West
More information if you want to visit this awesome place: Mel Fisher Martime Museum
The Equipment he used
Sadly, I couldn't find out which detector he used. Any ideas?
The Gold He Found
Fineness between 20.5 karats and 23.75 karats. The Atocha carried 125 gold ingots.
The Silver He Found
The Atocha carried 1,038 silver ingots from silver mines in Potosi and Oruro. The average weight of an ingot was about 70 pounds. They do have ingots available for sale. The asking price is only approx. $130,000. Guys, have your check book handy for a visit - ha ha! But by the way, they sold every now and then such an ingot in the local store. They also have other treasure there for sale but because of the highly interesting provenience, asking prices are high. Even for the silver coins (the Atocha carried over 200,000 silver coins).
The Jewelry He Found
See the simple chain links on the photo. In 1622, Spain taxed bullion at a higher rate than jewelry. Therefore it was cheaper to transport jewelry instead of bullion from the New World to Spain. The links are really soft and can be cut apart easily for paying. The chain on the first jewelry photo represents 4.4 pounds with 329 links equaling 6.06 gram each. Today, such a link would be worth about $210 (last price: redollar.com gold price information)
Other Treasure like that Gold Plate
The Atocha was full of other treasure like that outstanding plate - made of gold. In total, the Atocha carried 40 tons of gold and silver.
Other highly interesting artifacts
Mel Fisher also found weapons, pottery, glass, keys, locks, medical equipment an other very interesting things.
Some interesting and scaring facts
- 6 years before Mel Fisher found the wreck, he found cannonballs and other parts of the ship approving him that he is "close" to "The Day of the Day". But it took 6 years more to get the treasure found. Mel Fisher was running out of money and had to sell the treasure he found while searching to finance a hunt over decades.
- In 1975 Mel Fishers son, his wife, and the diver died after their boat capsized during their quest for treasure
Find some more information: NY Times
And finally... for all now preparing a hunt in Florida
A ship treasure map! Enjoy... and let me become part of a similar treasure hunt. I'll there...
And Tip for Treasure Tourists
They do offer treasure diving trips. It takes a whole week and costs about $3,000. But they guarantee to find treasure.
I hope you like my virtual tour! Write a PM, if you ever go to Key West. I would love to join you there. And by the way... I'm interested in contacts for treasure hunt in South Florida.
The Atocha ship wreck, a treasure ship full of gold, silver, gemstones and other treasure. Experts see the total value of all items in the range of $500 million.
The Museum, in Key West
More information if you want to visit this awesome place: Mel Fisher Martime Museum
The Equipment he used
Sadly, I couldn't find out which detector he used. Any ideas?
The Gold He Found
Fineness between 20.5 karats and 23.75 karats. The Atocha carried 125 gold ingots.
The Silver He Found
The Atocha carried 1,038 silver ingots from silver mines in Potosi and Oruro. The average weight of an ingot was about 70 pounds. They do have ingots available for sale. The asking price is only approx. $130,000. Guys, have your check book handy for a visit - ha ha! But by the way, they sold every now and then such an ingot in the local store. They also have other treasure there for sale but because of the highly interesting provenience, asking prices are high. Even for the silver coins (the Atocha carried over 200,000 silver coins).
The Jewelry He Found
See the simple chain links on the photo. In 1622, Spain taxed bullion at a higher rate than jewelry. Therefore it was cheaper to transport jewelry instead of bullion from the New World to Spain. The links are really soft and can be cut apart easily for paying. The chain on the first jewelry photo represents 4.4 pounds with 329 links equaling 6.06 gram each. Today, such a link would be worth about $210 (last price: redollar.com gold price information)
Other Treasure like that Gold Plate
The Atocha was full of other treasure like that outstanding plate - made of gold. In total, the Atocha carried 40 tons of gold and silver.
Other highly interesting artifacts
Mel Fisher also found weapons, pottery, glass, keys, locks, medical equipment an other very interesting things.
Some interesting and scaring facts
- 6 years before Mel Fisher found the wreck, he found cannonballs and other parts of the ship approving him that he is "close" to "The Day of the Day". But it took 6 years more to get the treasure found. Mel Fisher was running out of money and had to sell the treasure he found while searching to finance a hunt over decades.
- In 1975 Mel Fishers son, his wife, and the diver died after their boat capsized during their quest for treasure
Find some more information: NY Times
And finally... for all now preparing a hunt in Florida
A ship treasure map! Enjoy... and let me become part of a similar treasure hunt. I'll there...
And Tip for Treasure Tourists
They do offer treasure diving trips. It takes a whole week and costs about $3,000. But they guarantee to find treasure.
I hope you like my virtual tour! Write a PM, if you ever go to Key West. I would love to join you there. And by the way... I'm interested in contacts for treasure hunt in South Florida.
