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Poured silver "strap" broken into three pieces in its time, 128.32 grams total, about 98% fine, ex-1

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Shipwreck Ingots Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Poured silver  strap  broken into three pieces in its time, 128.32 grams total, about 98% fine, ex-1
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Poured silver "strap" broken into three pieces in its time, 128.32 grams total, about 98% fine, ex-1715 Fleet, ex-Rutherford, 1715 Fleet Society Plate. 128.18 grams total. Total about 4" x 2" and 1/8" thick. Evidence indicates that the "blanks" for Mexican cobs of the late 1600s and early 1700s were cut from "straps" of silver (see https://legacy.sedwickcoins.com/articles/strap.htm) that contained a preset amount of metal (in the correct fineness) that could be mathematically divided more or less evenly. These "straps" are virtually non-existent today. In this case, however, a small silver "strap" was broken into three unequal parts ranging from 41 to 46 grams each, corresponding to around one and a half 8 reales each. The breaks, while worn, are clearly discernible and match up well, and the surfaces are not overly corroded (just darkly toned), so we surmise this "strap" was of incorrect weight for coin use and therefore broken into "plata corriente" pieces instead (perhaps as contraband). From the 1715 Fleet, pedigreed to the S.P. Rutherford Collection and Sedwick Auction 20, with original lot-tag 216, and plated on page 15 of the 1715 Fleet Society's book Treasures of a Lost Fleet II (2022). SOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE 1715 FLEET SOCIETY.