Spanish gold coins valued at $4.5 million were found in an 18 century Spanish shipwreck in Florida.
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“Five years ago, before I got into this business, I would have told you that magic is in fairy tales”, said Brent Brisben, whose salvage company, Queens Jewels, owns rights to the 1715 Fleet shipwreck site. Brisben says the find also includes nine rare pieces, known as “royal eight escudos”.
People might be tempted to think that it is impossible to find a similar treasure along the coastline, but Brisben states the opposite.
The coins are worth $4.5 million.
Jonah Martinez, co-captain of the S/V Capitana, says they were searching spots on July 31st, the 300th anniversary of the Spanish Treasure Fleet shipwreck.
“These coins are important not only for their monetary value but their historical importance”, Brisben said.
On July 24, 1715, 11 ships traveled from Havana to Spain to deliver “the queen’s jewels” estimated to be worth at least $400 million in jewelry and gold. When we’re not actually treasure hunting, we’re usually talking about treasure hunting.
The discovery is the second major find by treasure hunters in recent months.
The coins were found in shallow water – just 6-feet-deep – just off the coast of Vero Beach, meaning beachgoers there have likely been swimming alongside the coins for years. In 2013, a family diving off Fort Pierce discovered a gold chain, coins and a ring which were valued at $300,000, as the Inquisitr previously reported. Up to 1,000 people died.
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The State of Florida can receive 20 percent of the recovered artifacts for purposes of displaying in its museum in Tallahassee, according to a press release.
