Authorities recover stolen gold coins from 310-year-old shipwreck off Florida coast
Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the recovery of 37 gold coins stolen from a 310-year-old shipwreck off the state’s coast. This marks a significant milestone in the investigation into the theft and illegal trafficking of historical artifacts. The coins have an estimated value of over $1 million.
In 2015, 101 gold coins were salvaged from the 1715 Fleet, a collection of Spanish treasure-laden ships that sank in a hurricane. However, 50 of these coins were not reported and were subsequently stolen. Investigations in 2023 and 2024 revealed the illegal sale of the coins, leading to their recovery from private residences, safe deposit boxes, and auctions. A suspect, a family member of the salvage team contracted a decade ago, has been identified, but it is unclear if they have been formally charged.
The recovered artifacts will be returned to their rightful custodians as required by state and federal law. The importance of safeguarding Florida’s cultural heritage and holding those accountable for exploiting it was emphasized by Camille Soverel, an investigator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Over the years, millions of dollars in gold coins from the 1715 Fleet have been found by salvagers and treasure hunters along Florida’s Treasure Coast. This recovery serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the state’s rich history.
Source
Photo credit www.abcactionnews.com
