The State of Florida Has Claimed a $1,000,000 Underwater Treasure 0 24

Divers have discovered a gold treasure worth $1,000,000 on a shipwreck that sank 300 years ago off the coast of Florida. This was reported by the Associated Press.

The history of the treasure is linked to the sinking of a Spanish fleet on July 31, 1715. At that time, a hurricane destroyed several ships carrying gold, silver, and jewels from the New World to Spain. Over three centuries, treasure hunters have found numerous coins and other artifacts in these waters.

This summer, divers managed to recover from the seabed a treasure that included more than a thousand gold and silver coins. They were minted in the Spanish colonies of Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru, with some retaining dates and mint marks.

"This discovery is not only about the treasure itself but also about the stories it tells. Each coin is a piece of history, a tangible connection to the people who lived, worked, and traveled during the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire. Finding a thousand such coins at once is a rarity," noted Sal Guttuso, the operations director of the shipwreck recovery company.

To recover the treasure, a whole fleet of boats was involved, along with several professional divers who searched for the treasure using underwater metal detectors and specialized sand catchers.

According to Florida laws, all treasures and historical artifacts found on lands or in waters belonging to the state are considered its property. Archaeologists may be permitted to conduct restoration work. About 20% of the found items must remain under the state's control for research or exhibitions in museums.