Over 1,000 Silver and Gold Coins Recovered from the 1715 Treasure Fleet Shipwrecks Valued at $1,000,000!

Sal Guttuso
24 hours ago
2 min read

Vero Beach, FL – 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC, a historic shipwreck

salvage operation that owns the exclusive salvage rights to the remains of the

1715 Treasure Fleet announces remarkable archaeological and historical recoveries.

Over 1000 silver coins known as Reales were recovered by Capt. Levin Shavers and the crew of the M/V Just Right. In addition, 5 gold coins called Escudos and other rare gold artifacts were recovered during the 2025 summer salvage season.

The coins, preserved beneath centuries of sand and sea, are part of the vast fortune carried by the fleet, which was transporting New World riches back to Spain when disaster struck on July 31, 1715. Historians estimate that as much as $400 million worth of gold, silver, and jewels were lost in the storm, making it one of the greatest maritime tragedies—and treasures—of the Americas.

“This discovery is not only about the treasure itself, but the stories it tells,” said Sal Guttuso, Director of Operations. “Each coin is a piece of history, a tangible link to the people who lived, worked, and sailed during the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire. Finding 1,000 of them in a single recovery is both rare and extraordinary.”

The coins, known as pieces of eight, were minted in the Spanish colonies of Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. Many still bear visible dates and mint marks, making them important to historians and collectors alike. The condition of the coins suggests they were part of a single chest or shipment that spilled when the ship broke apart in the hurricane’s fury.

The discovery site lies within a stretch of ocean often referred to as Florida’s “Treasure Coast,” where modern salvage operations—working under strict state oversight and archaeological guidelines—continue to uncover relics from the ill-fated fleet.

“Every find helps piece together the human story of the 1715 fleet,” added Sal Guttuso. “We are committed to preserving and studying these artifacts so future generations can appreciate their historical significance.”

The recovered coins will undergo careful conservation before being displayed to the public. Plans are underway for select pieces to be exhibited at local museums, offering both Floridians and visitors a chance to witness firsthand the treasures of Florida’s maritime past.

1715 Fleet - Queens Jewels, LLC is the U.S. District Courts’ custodian and exclusive salvaging company of the historic 1715 Treasure Fleet.

Salvage work is only permitted by subcontractors of 1715 Fleet - Queens Jewels, LLC.