Title

Silver Bar Diagram

Description

Diagram of a silver bar with markings owned by Miguel de Munibe. While the original artifact drawing is part of the MFMMs archive collection, the silver bar is not part of its artifact collection.

Key to Silver Bar Markings
1. The MB mark of Miguel de Munibe, shipper of the bar.
2. The symbol of a person named “Ruiz,” the receiver of the bar.
3. The Royal tax stamp, indicating that the proper taxes on the bar’s value had been paid.
4. The Potosí mintmark “P,” alongside the date 1621.
5. Serial Number 4185 in Roman numerals, indicating the bar was the 4185th ingot produced at Potosí in 1621.
6. The assayer’s “bite,” a small, scooped sample taken to determine the purity of the silver.
7. The purity value in Roman numerals. In this case, 2380 out of a possible 2400, or over 99% silver.  
8. Assayer Juan Sanchez Mexia’s stamp certifying the purity of the silver.
9. Obliterated owner’s marks from earlier transactions.
10. The “V” stamp of Atocha silvermaster Jacomo de Vreder, indicating he had received and registered the bar for shipment.

Source: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.