There are a lot of treasure stories that captivate us to the core. But, when it comes to a lost and hidden treasure that is worth millions of dollars, the story of Sir Francis Drake’s Plates of Brass needs no introduction.
For centuries, it has intrigued historians and adventurers alike. These legendary artifacts—or the brass plates are said to have been left behind by Sir Francis Drake, the renowned English explorer, during his voyages to the New World in the late 16th century.
Inscribed with messages and claims of land for England, the plates hold the potential to shed light on Drake’s expeditions and reshape our understanding of history.
In the mid-1930s, the stunning discovery of Sir Francis Drake’s Plate of Brass sent shockwaves through the historical community. Found by Beryl W. Shinn atop a ridge overlooking the picturesque San Francisco Bay and the San Quentin Peninsula, the Plate sparked immediate intrigue and speculation.
Initially kept as an unidentified oddity, Shinn eventually shared his discovery with friends, one of whom suggested consulting Dr. Herbert E. Bolton, a renowned historian and expert in deciphering ancient inscriptions. In February 1937, Dr. Bolton examined the artifact and proclaimed it Sir Francis Drake’s original Plate of Brass.
The revelation was made public on April 6, 1937, at a well-publicized gathering of the California Historical Society, where Dr. Bolton proudly announced the discovery. News of the find spread like wildfire, with the San Francisco Chronicle and the Oakland Tribune both featuring detailed accounts of the meeting alongside captivating images of the Plate.
The artifact changed hands for $3,500, passing from Shinn to the California Historical Society, who, in turn, presented it to the University of California. A sum of money was also allocated for rigorous testing to verify the authenticity of the Plate.
Leading experts, including Dr. Colin G. Fink of Columbia University, Dr. E.P. Polushkin, a metallurgical engineer, and Professor George R. Harrison of MIT, conducted exhaustive scientific analyses over seven months. Their conclusion, submitted in September 1938, affirmed the Plate’s authenticity, citing it as the genuine artifact described in Sir Francis Drake’s historical account published in 1628.
The Plate garnered international fame, becoming one of the most celebrated historical artifacts ever discovered in the western United States. It toured the world, captivating audiences with its rich historical significance.
But the intrigue didn’t end there. The discovery of Drake’s Plate led to further revelations, including the unearthing of a missing set of tools believed to have been used in its creation!
Robert L. Sutpack, a passionate history enthusiast, stumbled upon an extraordinary discovery while excavating his backyard in search of Sir Francis Drake’s lost treasure. His journey, chronicled in “Nova Albion and the Treasure of Sir Francis Drake,” began with the unexpected finding of strange triangular green rocks in his yard, leading him to uncover ancient metalworking tools known as tracers. These tools, originally used by skilled Spanish metalsmiths for jewelry making, served as templates for the vertical lines in the Plate’s text, providing valuable insights into the meticulous craftsmanship behind this legendary artifact.
In addition to these tracers, Sutpack’s excavation uncovered a rod that was used to trace the Plate’s horizontal and diagonal lines. Matching the lengths and functions of the lines inscribed on the Plate, this rod offered additional proof regarding the creation of these brass plates. The discovery of the hammering plate used to impart an aged appearance to the Plate and the original rod found along the San Rafael Marsh added depth to the examination, leading to further investigation.
As Sutpack delved deeper into the history of his property and surroundings, he unearthed compelling evidence linking them to Drake’s exploits, reigniting interest in the legendary figure and his treasure. His meticulous research and excavations shed new light on Greenbrae Ridge’s past and sparked a quest to unravel Drake’s legacy.