The "Tortugas" excavation yielded 27 gold bars each with relevant markings. The semi-circular line and dot design was the stamp of the royal tax, indicating the bar had been accounted for (i.e. was not contraband) and that the king had received his 20 percent of the gold. The purity of the gold was also marked in Roman numerals with dots appearing beneath the number to indicate fractional values. The gold bars range in purity from 20 to 22 carats. Other markings on the bars are believed to be the stamp of the New World foundry where the bars originated.