37 Stolen Gold Coins Recovered from 1715 Shipwreck

Florida authorities have successfully recovered 37 of the 50 gold coins stolen from the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet shipwreck, valued at approximately $1 million. The recovery marks a significant milestone in an investigation led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the FBI, linking Eric Schmitt to the illegal sale of the coins between 2023 and 2024. The Schmitt family, contracted as salvage operators in 2015, initially found 101 coins but reported only 51, with the remainder being unlawfully sold. Investigators used advanced digital forensics to connect Schmitt to photos of the coins, leading to their retrieval from auctions, private residences, and safe deposit boxes. Efforts continue to locate the remaining 13 coins and prosecute those involved in the illegal trafficking of these historical artifacts. This case highlights the importance of protecting cultural heritage and enforcing laws against exploitation.