Divers Recover $1 Million in Coins from Historic Shipwreck

In a remarkable discovery off Florida’s coast, divers from the salvage company 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC have recovered a treasure trove estimated to be worth $1 million. More than 1,000 gold and silver coins, believed to originate from the Spanish colonies of Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru, were unearthed this summer in the waters known as the “Treasure Coast.”

The site has a storied history, dating back to a catastrophic event on July 31, 1715, when a hurricane sank a fleet of Spanish ships returning to Spain, laden with riches from the New World. According to the 1715 Fleet Society, the storm scattered its valuable cargo across the ocean floor, leading to centuries of treasure hunting and salvage efforts.

Over the years, various salvagers and treasure hunters have retrieved millions of dollars in gold coins from this area, which extends from Melbourne to Fort Pierce. The latest recovery adds to this impressive legacy, with the coins displaying visible dates and mint marks, providing valuable insights for historians and collectors alike.

Sal Guttuso, director of operations for 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC, emphasized the historical significance of the find. “This discovery is not only about the treasure itself, but the stories it tells,” he stated. “Each coin is a piece of history, a tangible link to the people who lived, worked, and sailed during the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire. Finding 1,000 of them in a single recovery is both rare and extraordinary.”

In recent years, the salvage site has faced challenges. Last year, Florida officials reported the recovery of dozens of gold coins that were stolen from the wreck site by a family member of a team member. Under Florida law, any “treasure trove” or historic artifacts abandoned on state-owned lands or in state waters are considered the property of the state. While excavators may be authorized to conduct recovery operations, the law mandates that approximately 20% of the recovered archaeological materials be retained by the state for research or public display.

As the excitement surrounding this latest discovery unfolds, the story of the sunken treasure continues to captivate both the public and experts alike, highlighting the enduring allure of maritime history and the treasures it holds beneath the waves.