Florida authorities have recovered 37 gold coins worth over $1 million, stolen from the 1715 Spanish Fleet shipwrecks off the Treasure Coast. The recovery follows a lengthy investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) into the theft of these historical treasures.
The 1715 Fleet sank after a hurricane struck shortly after departing Havana, Cuba, carrying gold, silver, and jewels destined for Spain. Over the years, treasure hunters have sought items from the wrecks. In 2015, salvage operators, including members of the Schmitt family, recovered 101 gold coins. While 51 coins were properly reported, 50 were stolen, with Eric Schmitt, a member of the Schmitt family, later implicated in their illegal sale.
Working with the FBI, investigators used advanced digital forensics to trace Schmitt’s involvement, confirming his sale of the coins to private collectors and auction houses. Some stolen coins were even returned to the ocean floor in 2016, where they were later "rediscovered" by new salvage operators.
The recovered coins, now authenticated by experts, will be returned to their rightful owners. Schmitt faces charges for dealing with stolen property, while the search continues for 13 missing coins. The FWC emphasizes the need to protect Florida’s cultural heritage from exploitation.