In 1986, while excavating the Dorion site, a 17th century Spanish Franciscan mission on Amelia Island, FL, archeologists recovered a bronze seal stamp engraved with the likeness of Santa Catalina/St. Catharine of Alexandria. It is the only known artifact of this type in North America. The seal, along with other rare Spanish artifacts, including a 16th century bronze Spanish host press recovered on Florida’s southwest coast, will be displayed for the first time at HistoryMiami.
This unique exhibit supported the Viva Florida 500 initiative to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s landing on Florida’s east coast and the beginning of European exploration and the transformation of Florida.
