Divers Recover 22.5-Pound Silver Bar From 1622 Atocha Wreck

Divers recovered a 22.5-pound silver bar from the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha off Key West, Florida, New York Post reported. The find occurred recently in about 50 feet of water using the salvage vessel DARE. Captain Drake Nicholas and the crew made the recovery.

The silver bar marks the first such artifact recovered from the Atocha by the expedition since 1999. The team located it after detecting a very strong target on a metal detector. Crew members then used an airlift to remove layers of sand and sediment around the object.

The bar was heavily encrusted with marine growth when brought to the surface and is now undergoing conservation. It retains a small depression on the top surface where it was tested for purity before loading aboard the Atocha in 1622. New York Post reported that the bar remained remarkably intact despite the encrustation.

The Atocha sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622 while carrying silver, gold, and emeralds. Its main treasure deposit, known as the Mother Lode, was discovered by Mel Fisher’s team in 1985. The expedition has recovered hundreds of silver bars from the site since then.

Sean Browne, head of investor relations for Mel Fisher’s Shipwreck Expeditions, estimated the bar could be worth between $50,000 and $100,000. He said its historical significance outweighs the silver value. Browne noted the crew recovered three silver coins from the Atocha and Santa Margarita sites in a single day in late June.

Historical records indicate hundreds of silver bars and thousands of coins remain at the wreck sites, Browne said. The expedition continues active search operations in the Florida Keys.