There were two hundred and twenty pieces of gold, large and small.

Altogether they weighed seventy-two ounces, seven-eighths of an ounce and one grain.

Besides these were twelve pieces, great and small, of an inferior grade of gold, which weighed fourteen ounces, three-eighths of an ounce, and six tomienes, a tomiene weighing one-third part of our drachm.

In round numbers then, we will say that the result in gold of this cruising would be now worth $1,500.
Columbus collected gold in this way, to make his expedition popular at home, and he had, indeed, mortgaged the voyage, so to speak, by pledging the pecuniary results, as a fund to bear the expense of a new crusade.
But, for himself, the prime desire was always discovery.
Eventually the Spaniards spent two months in that region, pressing their explorations in search of gold.

And so promising did the tokens seem to him, that he determined to leave his brother, to secure the country and work the mines, while he should return to Spain, with the gold he had collected, and obtain reinforcements and supplies.