The “Barcelona Cross” Gold 14kt w/ 4 – 3mm Emeralds & 3 – 2.70mm Diamonds

An 8 Reale 1628-PP found in Potosi, Bolivia, Philip IV; this coins is surrounded by 14kt Gold with 4- Beautifully placed 2.50 Emeralds in the Spanish / Barcelona Cross, and the bezel complete with 3- 2.70 mm Diamonds. The Pendant also comes with a Diamond studded bale and with the “Barcelona Cross” with 4 – 2.50 Emeralds. What is a Barcelona Cross?    A Barcelona Cross is a hand  held cross by a priest or bishop. It is often made of precious metal and may be adorned with enamelwork, and precious or semi-precious gemstones. You must understand that Christianity was making its way through Spain long before Christopher Columbus. One nautical myth handed down through the centuries is that when Pirates raided a vessel, many of the Pirates were reluctant to touch any Cross because of the revenge God could cast upon the thief’s for doing so.

Again, this coin is not from a shipwreck, but it is still from the same region Mel Fisher’s Atocha coins were struck and most likely made by the same tradesman. Michael chose the “Barcelona Cross” on this piece because of growing up in Catholicism. The dynamics of the Emeralds mounted portrays an affection for the sea. Emeralds were known to be traded for just about everything  even  before sea trade routes were charted.