Tucker's Cross

Tucker's Cross is an emerald-studded 22 karat gold cross discovered by Bermudian marine explorer Teddy Tucker in 1955. Its origin is believed to be the San Pedro, a Spanish galleon that wrecked in 1594.^[1]

On discovery, Tucker believed the cross to be Indian made due to its simplicity.^[2] By 1997, however, it was considered to be the most valuable single object ever found in a shipwreck.^[3]

Tucker sold it to the Government of Bermuda in 1959 so that it would remain on the island, and for some time it was kept in a museum that Tucker and his wife ran on behalf of the Government. Subsequent to his sale of the museum for $100K, and prior to Queen Elizabeth II's planned visit to the museum, it was discovered that the Cross had been stolen with a replica left in its place.^[3]

References

1. "Bio of Bermuda Teddy Tucker". BerNews. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
2. Tucker, Teddy. "How I Found the Cross". Retrieved 11 May 2015.
3. Lam, Brian (August 2011). "Tucker's Cross: Gold and Swollen With Emeralds, This Was The World's Most Valuable Sunken Treasure". The Scuttlefish. Retrieved 11 May 2015.