Location
In the Money Pit (Lot 18)
Discovered
McGinnis era
Date Range
1550 AD – 1700 AD
Category
Artifact
Era
Colonial
About This Artifact
A small gold cross, a McGinnis family heirloom allegedly discovered by Daniel McGinnis in the Money Pit over 200 years ago. Composed of 22-24 carat rose gold, cast in the Spanish West Indies 1550-1700. Holes once housed emeralds. Dr. Lori Verderame examined the gold cross in Season 4, Episode 15. She identified it as a Spanish colonial Christian cross cast in rose gold of 22 to 24 carats, dating between 1550 and 1700. The irregularly shaped piece was originally set with emeralds that were pried out, and the casting style places its origin in the Spanish Indies, likely Mexico or Peru.
Historical Context
Mc Ginnis Family, examination by Dr. Lori Verderame.
Where It Was Found
Found In the Money Pit — the original 1795 excavation shaft on Oak Island, Nova Scotia.
