Over a thousand silver coins and five gold coins, valued at approximately $1 million (around 12.17 crore Bangladeshi Taka), have been recovered from the wreck of a Spanish ship that sank in 1715 off the coast of Florida.
The discovery was made by 1715 Fleet–Queen’s Jewels LLC, a shipwreck recovery company.
The coins were found near Florida’s Treasure Coast by the crew of the motor vessel Just Right, led by Captain Levin Shavers.
The silver coins, known as “reales,” and the five gold coins, called “escudos,” are part of a much larger treasure that was lost when the Spanish fleet sank during a violent hurricane on July 31, 1715, while en route to Spain.
Sal Gutuso, the company’s operations director, said, “This discovery is not just about wealth—it’s about history. Each coin tells a story of the Spanish Empire’s golden age. Recovering over a thousand coins at once is both rare and remarkable.”
The coins were minted in the Spanish colonies of Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. Many still bear visible dates and mint marks, making them valuable both historically and to collectors.
Experts believe the coins were once part of a chest or shipment that scattered when the ship went down.
The recovery operation is taking place under strict government oversight and archaeological guidelines along Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Gutuso added, “Every find helps bring the story of the 1715 fleet to life. We are committed to preserving and studying these artifacts so future generations can appreciate their historical significance.”
Before public display, the recovered coins will undergo careful conservation and maintenance. Selected coins are planned to be exhibited in local museums, allowing residents and tourists to witness Florida’s maritime history firsthand.
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