The Gold Finds of San Diego Shipwreck

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines

Au! It’s Gold!

This week on #MaritimeMonday, your #NationalMuseumPH highlights the gold finds from the San Diego shipwreck. San Diego sank on December 14, 1600 near Fortune Island, Batangas after defeat by the Dutch ship Mauritius. Read more about the vessel’s story here: https://tinyurl.com/SagaOfTheSanDiego 

The gold items from San Diego confirm the worldwide contacts that the Philippines had during the 16th century CE (Common Era). They also provide insights into the culture and interactions between Europeans and Filipinos during this period. The neck ring, a probable indication of Southeast Asian tradition, was reportedly the first to be seen in any Philippine archaeological site. The long woven necklace has a bulky appearance but light in weight. This necklace is said to be associated with porcelain of Ming period (1368–1644). The dress ornament has a Renaissance-style that was depicted in many portraits. 

The book clasp was for a girdle prayer-book which was considered fashionable in Europe during the 16th century CE. The gold coin is identified as Islamic struck in Johor under Sultan Abdul Jalil Riayat Shah II (1571–1597). One particular historical interest is the gold seal of Captain Antonio De Morga, a declared National Cultural Treasure, which is featured on previous #MaritimeMonday post: https://tinyurl.com/DeMorgaSeal. This find proves with certainty that the wreck found is indeed San Diego.

The gold artifacts excavated in the Butuan archaeological site dated around 8th century CE are evidence of gold’s early manufacture and use in the Philippines. The peak of the gold industry in the Philippines was identified to be from the 9th to 14th centuries, where gold ornaments became established as a classic tradition. During the 16th century, Manila had become a central entrepôt in the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade where gold was one of the portable medium of exchange. Goldsmiths in Manila were mostly natives with a number of Chinese and other Asian craftsmen.

Your #NationalMuseumPH is now open to the public. While the San Diego gallery undergoes reconstruction, you may see and appreciate other significant shipwreck artifacts in the ‘300 Years of Maritime Trade in the Philippines’ exhibit located at the National Museum of Anthropology. You may book a slot through this website. Remember to #KeepSafe by practicing minimum health protocols while viewing our galleries. You may also experience the virtual tour of the exhibit by clicking on this link: https://tinyurl.com/300YearsOfMaritimeTradePH 

#StaySafe

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#SanDiegoShipwreck

#GoldFinds

Text and poster by the NMP Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division.

©National Museum of the Philippines (2021)