FLORIDA — Authorities have recovered 37 stolen gold coins worth over $1 million from a nearly 310-year-old shipwreck off Florida’s coast. The announcement, made by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Tuesday, marks a significant milestone in an investigation into the theft and illegal trafficking of historic artifacts.
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The coins originated from the 1715 Fleet, a group of Spanish treasure ships that sank during a hurricane along Florida’s central coast. In 2015, salvagers recovered 101 gold coins from the wreckage. However, authorities discovered that 50 of these coins were never disclosed and were subsequently stolen.
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In 2023 and 2024, investigators traced the illegal sale of the missing coins, leading to their recovery through search warrants executed at private residences, safe deposit boxes, and auction houses.
The FWC identified a suspect tied to the theft — a family member of the salvage team contracted to recover the shipwreck’s treasure a decade ago. While the suspect has been identified, it remains unclear if charges have been officially filed.
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“This case underscores the importance of safeguarding Florida’s rich cultural heritage and holding accountable those who seek to profit from its exploitation,” said Camille Soverel, an investigator with the FWC.
As mandated by state and federal laws, the recovered coins will be returned to their “rightful custodians,” though details about their current custodianship were not disclosed.
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Florida’s Treasure Coast, stretching from Melbourne to Fort Pierce, has long been associated with treasures from the 1715 Fleet. Over the years, salvagers and treasure hunters have unearthed millions of dollars in gold coins from the shipwreck.
