A family of treasure hunters discovers a million dollars worth of booty off the coast of Florida.
Treasure hunter enthusiasts lifted a submerged fortune of loot off the coast of Florida worth nearly $1 million, in addition to a rare Spanish coin labeled as a “Tricentennial Royal.”
According to a Life Science’s report, the spoils were forgotten for 300 years before a salvage vessel hauled it from the deep last month on June 17. The gold coins, elaborate gold chains, and the Spanish novelty were discovered 1,000 feet offshore of Fort Pierce, Florida. The ship, Aarr Booty, was navigated by its captain, Eric Schmitt.
According to historical lore, the ships set sail from Cuba on July 24, 1715, then colonized by the Spanish. The riches were to be shipped to Spain to finance battles against its French nemesis who was also vying for economic dominance during the era.
But a sweeping hurricane off Florida devoured the riches for all but one the fleet’s 12 ships, so-called “1715 fleet” has become a coveted grandeur for the hunter. Brent Brisben and his father, William obtained permits for the vessel in 2010 to explore the wrecks in search of the booty.
The effort was conducted by the entire Schmitt family, including the captain Eric, his wife, sister, and parents. They were subcontracted by Brisben’s company, which owns the salvage permits.
Among the riches collected were 51 gold coins and 40 feet of golden chain, but the trophy grab was the Tricentennial Royal. The coin was minted for King Philip V of Spain, one of few.
Despite their fortune, they’re even more ambitious in discovering what the ocean floor has hidden. Brisben owns five of the 11 ships that sank. Estimation of the yet unrecovered riches is valued at $440 million.
Given particular inquiry, are the queen’s jewels, claimed by Philip V’s second wife Elizabeth Farnese, Duchess of Parma. The jewels were reserved for her dowry and were to be transported on the 1715 fleet. But jewelry wasn’t a taxable commodity in Spain during this time, so its details aren’t listed on any official documentation. Also given interest, is 74-carat emerald ring and 14-carat pearl earrings.
