On September 30, 2025, 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC announced a major discovery: over 1,000 silver “reales” and five gold “escudos” valued at $1 million, salvaged from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck off Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Salvage Operation
Captain Levin Shavers and the crew of M/V “Just Right” found the coins near Sebastian, Florida. The haul, part of a lost $400 million fortune, was uncovered near the Anchor Wreck, a site linked to a 1810 shipwreck.
Historical Significance
“This find connects us to the Spanish Empire’s Golden Age,” said Sal Guttuso, Queens Jewels’ operations director. The 1715 hurricane sank 11 ships, killing around 1,000 people and scattering riches.
Recovery Details
The salvage began in May with three gold coins found at Douglas Beach Wreck by Michael Perna and Milan Kalelkar.
By September, Shavers’ team found 1,051 silver coins, some encrusted with burlap, hinting at a chest holding thousands more.
Legal Framework
Queens Jewels holds exclusive salvage rights under federal admiralty law. Florida law requires permits for underwater recovery.
The state takes 20% of the treasure, with 80% split among crews after court review.
Coin Preservation
The “pieces of eight,” minted in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, will be cleaned and cataloged for museum display. Their condition suggests they spilled from a chest during the storm.
The 1715 Disaster
On July 31, 1715, a hurricane destroyed a Spanish fleet carrying jewels and gold from Havana to Spain. The storm, possibly a Category 3 or 4, sank ships near Sebastian, with survivors facing harsh conditions.
Why It Matters
This discovery revives history, boosting tourism and research into the 1715 maritime tragedy along Florida’s coast.
What’s Next
In October 2025, Queens Jewels plans to exhibit the coins and continue salvaging for more treasures.
