Gold oval ingot, 645.26 grams, tested at 0.819 fine gold (19.656K), marked with V-over-upside-down-V monogram and XXIII, ex-Luz (1752), ex-Sothebys. 3-1/2" x 1-3/4" in diameter and up to 3/4" thick. A cute little piece, deceivingly heavy, with all surfaces hammered smooth in its time, both on the rounded bottom and on the flat top, with markings on both sides including a serial number 23 (on bottom) and an owner/consignor whose name or "call sign" was a monogram that looks like A/V (on top), no tax stamps or cuts (as probably contraband and/or connected to Jesuit missions) but with some faint file marks on part of edge where the fineness was tested contemporaneously. From the Luz (1752), pedigreed to Sothebys Uruguayan Treasure of the River Plate auction of March 1993, with original lot-tag 757 and Sothebys catalog.
