Burlap-Encrusted 1,000 Coins Reveal 1715 Fleet's Final Cargo

A significant archaeological and historical discovery has emerged from Florida's Treasure Coast, where a 1715 Spanish shipwreck has yielded over 1,000 silver coins and five gold coins, collectively valued at $1 million. The salvage operation, conducted by 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC, recovered the artifacts during the 2025 summer season, marking one of the largest single recoveries from the site since 1990^[1]. The coins, known as reales (silver) and escudos (gold), were minted in Spanish colonies including Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, with many retaining visible dates and mint marks^[2].

The 1715 Treasure Fleet, a convoy of 11 ships carrying New World riches to Spain, was devastated by a hurricane on July 31, 1715, off Florida's eastern coast. Historians estimate the fleet carried $400 million in gold, silver, and jewels at the time^[3]. The recent discovery by Captain Levin Shavers and his crew aboard the Just Right included a pile of 1,051 silver coins encrusted with what appears to be burlap sack fragments, suggesting they may have originated from a single chest or shipment that spilled during the storm^[4].

The salvage operation, which operates under exclusive rights granted by federal admiralty law and state permits, adheres to archaeological guidelines and conservation protocols. Sal Guttuso, director of operations for 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, emphasized the historical significance of the find: "Each coin is a tangible link to the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire. Finding 1,000 of them in a single recovery is both rare and extraordinary." The recovered artifacts will undergo conservation, including electrolysis to remove corrosion, before being cataloged and displayed^[5].

Legal distribution of the treasure follows a structured process. Under Florida law, the state retains 20% of the recovered artifacts for public display or research, while the remaining 80% is divided among the salvaging company and subcontractors^[6]. The state's share is typically negotiated through the U.S. District Court of Florida, ensuring compliance with maritime and archaeological regulations^[7].

Plans are underway to exhibit select coins at local museums, offering the public access to Florida's maritime heritage. The 2025 season also saw prior smaller recoveries, including three gold coins found in May near the Douglas Beach Wreck, part of the same 1715 fleet^[8]. The discovery has reignited interest in the region's shipwreck sites, with ongoing efforts to locate additional artifacts, including potential remnants of the burlap sacks that may still lie undiscovered^[9].

The 1715 Fleet's historical impact remains profound. The hurricane's destruction resulted in approximately 700–1,000 deaths, with survivors struggling to reach shore between Sebastian and Fort Pierce. Modern salvage efforts not only recover material wealth but also piece together the human stories of the disaster^[10].