1910

Important gold religious medallion and chain with full research.

Currency:USD Category:Artifacts / Shipwreck Artifacts Start Price:35,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Important gold religious medallion and chain with full research.
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This item SOLD at 2013 May 02 @ 21:03UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Important gold religious medallion and chain with full research. 98.7 grams total, chain 32" long, the medallion about 1-1/2". This is not just another religious medallion: Made of solid gold and accompanied by its original chain, it bears significant symbols in high relief on both sides that have been thoroughly researched to show that this was likely the possession of a wealthy criollo (colony-born but pureblood Spanish) coming from the New World to Spain. This symbolism comprises a scene of the Virgin Mary on a crescent on top of the baby Jesus with native-looking figures and disembodied heads surrounding her, almost certainly in reference to the Virgen de la Guadalupe, a manifestation of the Virgin Mary to a Mexican native in 1531 and from the mid-17th century onward a revered symbol specifically of the criollo class. On the reverse of the medallion is a cross on the hills of Calvary (where Jesus was crucified), significantly with three nails (possibly stigmata) and a starburst (probably the heart of Christ) but no Jesus figure. The chain consists of hundreds of small, double-ring links, hand-crafted to a high standard. Overall the piece is in a magnificent state of preservation, with no noticeable wear or damage, a relic for all eternity. With original Fisher photo-certificate #40668, an independent analysis report and a copy of Discovery Day Treasures magazine for comparison to similar 6-figure treasures offered by Mel Fisher's companies in 2000. Recovered from: Spanish 1715 Fleet, sunk off the east coast of Florida