Over 1,000 silver “Reales” coins, 5 gold “Escudos,” and other rare gold artifacts worth about 1 million dollars were discovered by divers of salvage company 1715 Fleet -Queens Jewels LLC at a ship of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet wrecked on the Treasure Coast off Florida. This was the cargo of the notorious hurricane-sunk convoy, in which was carried an estimated half a billion dollars in wealth–a fact that brings to light continued recoveries of one of the greatest sea catastrophes of all time.
Spain: Spanish Treasure Fleet Disaster of 1715
– July 31, 1715: A hurricane struck 11 Spanish ships traveling with New world gold/silver to Spain, and wrecked them in 80 miles of the Florida coastline, known as the Treasure Coast.
– The fleet had approximately 400 million modern value (gold bars, silver coins, jewels); approximately 80 per cent, were lost, of which, during centuries, has been recaptured to the value of hundreds of millions of money.
Mexican/Peruvian/Bolivian colonies Coins that were minted still date/mark mint even after 300 years underwater; it is thought that they slopped out of one chest when the ship was wrecked.
News of the Most Recent Discovery
– The crew of M/V Just Right, led by Captain Levin Shavers, discovered 1,051 silver Reales (pieces of eight), 5 gold Escudos, and evidence in summer 2025 activities on the basis of a Florida state permit.
– Found in sand/sea, the coins are the “Golden Age of Spanish Empire” money; its state indicates a concentrated loading in one ship.
– Sal Guttuso (Operations Director): “It is unusual and exceptional to find 1,000 coins in a single recovery- every coin has a story.
Who Gets to Keep the Treasure?
– Florida Law (80/20 Split): 80% (~$800K) Salvage company (1715 Fleet -Queens Jewels LLC) 20% (~$200K) Florida state It goes to museums/research.
– Subcontractors/divers company share; the archaeological rules are monitored by the state, there is no finders keepers rule in case of shipwrecks in state waters.
– Coins are conserved and then exhibited in public, and previous recovered coins have funded museums in Florida such as Mel Fisher Treasures.
Historical and Numismatic Significance
– Mexico/Bolivia uncommon, Peru/Bolivia rarer, legible mint mark/date increases collector value excessively over melt (maximum value is 20/oz silver).
– One of the greatest maritime tragedies of 1715 Fleet; the same number of hauls (200+ silver coins, valued at $100K plus) were found on guarded sites annually.
– Privately held salvage rights with state permits; amount of value recovered up to 1960s is around $100M; amount of value recovered since then is still unknown, but is likely in excess of 300M.
Summary Table: 1715 Haul of the Shipwreck Coin
| Item | Quantity | Value Contribution | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Reales | 1,051 | ~$900K | Mexico/Peru/Bolivia |
| Gold Escudos | 5 | ~$80K | Spanish colonies |
| Rare Gold Artifacts | Multiple | ~$20K | Fleet cargo |
| Total | – | $1M | 1715 Treasure Fleet |
FAQs
Q1: Who is the owner of shipwreck treasure in Florida?
Salvage company – 80, state – 20 under permit law.
Q2: How much remains from 1715 Fleet?
Approximately more than $300M undiscovered; 100M recovered since 1960s.
Q3: Coin conservation at the time of sale?
Yes, careful cleaning/preservation; and afterwards museum/ display.
