Description
This 14 karat yellow gold mermaid is holding an emerald recovered from the wreck of the Maravillas.
The galleon “Maravillas”, loaded with treasure from Panama and Cartagena, sailed from Havana, bound for Spain, as part of a Spanish convoy. During the night of January 4th, 1656 she collided with another Spanish ship north of Grand Bahama Island and sank at a depth of about 35 feet with a great loss of lives.
During the next several years, the Spaniards salvaged much of the cargo of gold and silver coins and bullion, jewelry, pearls and precious stones, but two of the salvage vessels themselves were wrecked nearby, and much of the treasure was lost a second time.
Many divers have sought the location of the Maravillas and since 1960 have recovered considerable amounts of treasure.
