Mr. GG2 had an emerald from the Atocha. We kept it in the gun safe for years. We had no luck selling it. He finally had Kim Fisher who now runs the museum and operations sell it for him on consignment in their store. It brought about 20% of what it was supposed to be worth. I guess the Emerald market is not that great.
I was in Key west in 1987 when the Fisher group were parceling up much of the treasure, to be given to investors. They had a museum-type facility, for which they charged admission for tourists. On the day I walked through there were piles of silver ingots everywhere. The more valuable items were in glass cases, on display.
There were quite a number of armed guards standing around.
Next time grab a black opal from Australia which can be worth up to US$43,000 per gram.