Lot 1207
Emerald From the 1715 Shipwreck of a Spanish Galleon. One rough emerald crystal, actual weight of 39.51 carats, measuring approximately 28mm long x 14mm in width. One section of the crystal surface has been polished to view the internal characteristics. A lapidary at Carter's Jewelry in St. Augustine, Florida examined the crystal and determined that an approximately 20 carat, pear-shape emerald with additional small stones, could be cut from this crystal.
When the War of Spanish Succession ended in 1713, Spain was on the verge of bankruptcy. Philip V ordered a fleet to sail to the Americas and bring back as much treasure as possible. On July 27, 1715, a Spanish treasure fleet under the command of Captain-General Don Juan Esteban de Ubilla and Don Antonio de Echeverez, left Havana and headed up the Florida Straits to catch the Gulf Stream. Among the treasure were more than 1200 pieces of rare jewelry destined for Elizabeth of Parma, whom Philip had married by proxy in 1714. On the night of July 30th, a major hurricane struck and destroyed all but one of the eleven (some records say twelve) ships, killing over one thousand people. Spain managed to salvage a great deal of the treasure, and scavengers and pirates found more, but much of it was lost for the next 250 years until the 1950s, when a Florida contractor discovered that the coins washing up on the beach near his home were from the 1715 disaster.
This emerald is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from M.A. Warf, president of Treasures by Marc Anthony, stating that this emerald was salvaged from the 1715 fleet, cabin site.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
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