In 1532 Atahuallpa, the native King of Peru, was captured by Pizarro, a Spanish soldier. Now the Spanish had seen large quantities of gold but nothing quite to the scale Atahuallpa claimed he could give for his freedom. He promised to fill a room with the stuff and then fill another room, twice over with silver. The offer was accepted and the goldsmiths worked day and night melting the stuff down. Just imagine the heathen treasures that were being melted down the Catholic Spanish.
Civilisation can be such an uplifting experience.
Atahuallpa having honoured his part of the bargain refused to convert to Christianity so Pizarro had him publicly strangled. Ironic really as the fair-haired Spanish had marched in unopposed because the Inca's had thought them returning demigods. So despite the fact that this might not be the most expensive set in the world what it depicts are some of the most precious, and priceless, treasures the world has to offer. Before you move on though spare a thought for card 49, Coco Island. It is believed to be the resting place of a good deal of pirate gold.