Atocha bar from the left side - Note the large, bold monogram (L with X) for A. deLegaso!
Just to the right of the L is the date box with a very faint 1622 was worn down by sea friction.
Numerous round tax stamps (Quintos) can be seen on the surface and the double assayer scoop
on top indicates the bar was cast at the Potosí mint. The assayer tested the purity of the bar
twice to confirm the fineness and kept the scooped metal as payment for services. The faint
"starburst" appears twice on the bar to the right of both monograms and is a mystery.

The A. deAguirre monogram is very impressive and bold! Note the <> diamond in the monogram.
Another mystery "starburst" appears to the lower right and a quinto tax stamp is seen at lower left.

A. deAguirre was shipping the bar for A. deLegaso at the time the Atocha went down.

Atocha bar from the top middle - Note the assayer's double scoop!
The "V" on the far left corner of the bar is the stamp of ship master Jacobe de Vreder, who unfortunately
went down with the ship and died in the wreck. All bars had to be stamped with Vreder's initial to show
they were properly recorded in the ship's manifest and not contraband. The roman numerals above the
double scoop indicate the bar's mintage number - that being #1137. The roman numerals below the
double scoop indicate the bar's metal fineness (2380/2400) or 99.16% pure silver.

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