This summer, salvage crews working off Florida’s Treasure Coast uncovered an astonishing trove of over 1,000 gold and silver coins from a 1715 Spanish fleet wrecked by a hurricane. The treasure is estimated to be worth $1 million and is part of a much larger fortune lost centuries ago.
Many of the coins—called pieces of eight—were minted in the Spanish colonies of Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, bearing dates and mint marks that survived their long underwater journey. Experts believe the coins came from a single chest smashed during the ship’s destruction.
Sal Guttuso, Director of Operations for Queens Jewels, emphasized the historical significance, saying “Each coin is a tangible piece of history, connecting us to the sailors of that era.”
The coins are currently undergoing conservation before being displayed in Florida museums for the public to witness firsthand the treasures and history of the 1715 fleet.
