sedwickcoins's profile

Only about 80 books were printed in color and hardcover

n the summer of 1992, while hunting for treasure in the Bahamian Shoals, the Marex Corporation found over two hundred gold and silver bars unlike any found in other shipwrecks. Upon analysis it was apparent that these bars were older and of different metallic composition than those recovered from other shipwreck sites. They are actually connected to the early days of the Spanish conquest of the New World. Garcia begins his book with a comprehensive review of Cortes conquest of Mexico, utilizing many contemporary Spanish historical sources. He then moves to the unanswered questions regarding the metallic composition of the mysterious bars and where this metal originated. His research into contemporary letters and records led him to the Tarascan region present day Michoacan state in Mexico which was conquered by Cortes lieutenant, Cristobal de Olid, in 1522. His research shows these bars were composed of a silver-copper alloy which could be traced to the Tarascan culture. The Spanish called this particular alloy the metal of Michoacan. The book contains a series of photographs of bars with particularly distinctive marks. The marks were intended to denote purity, ownership and payment of the royal fifth tax. Garcia provides a list of contemporary Spaniards who might have utilized these markings. The book is a wonderful analysis of these unique bars which are a genuine link to the early days of the Spanish Conquest.

Best book for Cobs from Potosi

8 REALES COBS OF POTOSI, by Emilio Paoletti (2006). Beautifully hardbound with dust jacket, 402 pages, with tons of great photos, this is the much-anticipated English-language edition of Paoletti's esteemed work on Potosí cob 8 reales of all periods. Truly there is no more accurate reference on the subject today! A Spanish translation is also provided at the end (text only).

Hard to find reference

Bischoff, William L. (ed). The Coinage of El Peru, Coinage of the Americas Conference of the American Numismatic Society (October 29-30, 1988). 6-1/8" x 9-1/4"; 250 pages; HC. From time to time the ANS in New York holds a "Coinage of the Americas Conference," in which industry experts present talks on various topics. This 1988 event featured the Spanish viceroyalty of Peru, and the speakers included such luminaries as Freeman Craig, Kurt Dym, Barry Stallard, Eduardo Dargent Chamot, Arnaldo Cunietti-Ferrando, Joseph Lasser, William Christensen and Frank Sedwick, whose transcripts are reproduced in this book with many photos. The information presented about early Lima and Potosi silver cobs and Lima gold cobs is particularly useful and can be found nowhere else.