Historic 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet Yields Another $1 Million Haul Off Florida Coast

By Aaron Miller-

Specialist salvage divers operating off Florida’s Atlantic coast achieved a remarkable feat this summer, uncovering a stunning trove of long-lost Spanish treasure.

 

The professional crew, contracted by 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC, retrieved more than 1,000 silver and gold coins from the seabed, a cache estimated to be worth $1 million.

This incredible $1 million Spanish treasure discovery was made in a region appropriately named the “Treasure Coast,” a vast area notorious for its historic maritime losses.

Captain Levin Shavers and the crew of the motor vessel Just Right are credited with this $1 million Spanish treasure discovery, which provides a tangible link to the wealth of the New World.

The historic artifacts hail from the ill-fated 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, a convoy of 11 ships carrying vast riches from the Spanish colonies back to Spain.

A devastating hurricane struck the fleet on July 31, 1715, scattering the precious cargo across the ocean floor. Finding over 1,000 coins in a single recovery is considered rare and extraordinary, according to Sal Guttuso, the director of operations for the salvage company.

This recent $1 million Spanish treasure discovery is particularly valuable to historians because the coins still have visible mint marks and dates. The recovered pieces include numerous silver reales, often known as “pieces of eight,” alongside five rare gold escudos.

Historical Context and Recovery Efforts

These newly discovered coins were originally minted in various Spanish colonies, including those in modern-day Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia.

The condition of the coins suggests they may have been part of a single chest that ruptured and spilled when the hurricane destroyed the vessel.

For instance, the main discovery of silver coins came from the Anchor Wreck site near Wabasso Beach.

The meticulous process of discovery involved using underwater metal detectors and then carefully fanning away sand by hand to retrieve the historic pieces.

Florida state law dictates that any “treasure trove” found in its waters belongs to the state, but permits allow for recovery services by private companies.

Queens Jewels LLC, which holds exclusive salvaging rights to the remains of the 1715 Treasure Fleet, operates under strict archaeological guidelines.

Up to 20% of the recovered artifacts must be retained by the state for research and public display in museums. The remaining 80% is then split among the company’s owners and the subcontractors who made the find.

This legal framework ensures both the commercial viability of the recovery effort and the preservation of crucial historical data.

Preserving the Legacy of the 1715 Fleet

The recovery of this long-lost Spanish treasure adds another chapter to the story of one of the world’s most significant maritime disasters.

Historians estimate that the 1715 fleet carried an astounding $400 million worth of jewels, gold, and silver.

Over the years, continuous salvage operations along the Treasure Coast have yielded millions of dollars in artifacts. In fact, a previous, much larger haul in 2015 recovered $4.5 million in gold coins from the same fleet.

Experts are now carefully cleaning and conserving the most recent coin haul.

Plans are already in motion to exhibit select pieces at local Florida museums, giving the public a direct look into the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire. For more detailed information on the historical background of these shipwrecks, one can visit the 1715 Fleet Society website.

The Urca de Lima, another ship from the same 1715 fleet, has been designated as a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve, showing the state’s commitment to preservation.