Tucker's Cross

Tucker's Cross is an emerald-studded (7 emeralds total) 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]San Pedro captained by Pedro Nunez de Bohorquez.The Nunez San Pedro was under the protection of an armada when it left Spain in 1594 to Portobelo, Panama. Following a stop planned in Cartegena, Colombia for the loading of precious goods, the armada started on their return journey, a route around Havana and onward to Azores in the Atlantic. Whilst the exact cause of the disaster is unknown, it is possible that the ship was taken slightly off course, resulting in its wrecking on the Bermudian reef. As the San Pedro was slightly ahead of the armada, there were no witnesses to the tragedy.

The Tucker Cross. Photograph by Peter Stackpole

On discovery, Tucker believed the cross to be Indian-made due to its simplicity.^[2] By 1997, it was considered to be the most valuable single object ever found in a shipwreck.^[3][4]

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 the Aquarian Museum, which Tucker and his wife ran on behalf of the Government. Subsequent to his sale of the museum for $100,000, and prior to Queen Elizabeth II's planned visit to the museum, it was discovered that the Cross had been stolen and a cheap plastic replica left in its place.^[4]