Some of the more than $1 million worth of gold and silver coins recovered from the 310-year-old shipwreck off Florida’s Treasure Coast this summer. Courtesy, 1715 Fleet – Queen Jewels, LLC
Florida’s reputation of colorful characters and coastlines just keeps growing. As we first reported back in our July 14, 2025 newsletter, many hunters have flocked to the appropriately named “Treasure Coast” to take a shot at finding centuries old riches on the sea floor, applying for permits from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. Only Sal Guttuso’s swashbuckling team at Queens Jewels LLC have exclusive salvaging rights and this summer found about $1 million more of the fabled treasure of the sunken 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet. Led by Captain Levin Shavers, the crew onboard the M/V Just Right found over 1,000 silver coins (Reales), 5 gold coins (Escudos), and many other golden artifacts during their search in ocean waters off the Florida Atlantic Coast. This is just a small fraction of the fantastical treasures onboard the Spanish fleet that was sunk in a terrible storm in July 1715 on its way back to Spain – historians estimate that the full loss was around $400 million in gold and jewels.
While the luster of treasure is one of the more attractive parts of the story, Guttuso is quick to remind us that the historical value and human element in these waters tells us a story in-and-of itself. “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,” he said. “Finding 1,000 of them in a single recovery is both rare and extraordinary.” The coins are in great condition for having weathered some 300 years on the seafloor, with legible mint marks and dates from Spanish colonies in Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru.
The coins are undergoing conservation before being displayed publicly. Courtesy, 1715 Fleet – Queen Jewels, LLC
This leads experts to believe that the valuables were all from a single chest, which may have protected the Reales and Escudos from the brunt force of the shipwreck and allowed the coins to stay in such good shape. Captain Shavers’ excitement over the find was infectious, stating “The best way I can describe it is if you lose something you really, really like and you’ve almost come to terms with it just never being found again, and then, all of a sudden, it shows up. It’s just such an awesome feeling.”
Now comes the backend of the adventure – cataloging and conservation. Each recovered piece of treasure will undergo examination and protective measures. Queens Jewels said there are plans in the works for some of the haul to be exhibited in local museums, where further study will allow future generations to feel the same sense of wonder as on the high seas. Finding sunken treasure and sharing adventure with the world − just another day in fantastic Florida!
See you on the trail,
Lisa
LMA Newsletter of 10-20-25
