Florida Authorities Recover $1M in Stolen Gold Coins from 1715 Shipwreck

The FBI and state officials retrieved 37 historic coins after a lengthy investigation into theft and illegal sales linked to a salvage operation.

The recovered gold coins, valued at over $1 million, were part of a Spanish treasure fleet that sank off Florida's coast during a 1715 hurricane.
The coins were stolen in 2015 after being discovered by the Schmitt family, who were contracted to salvage the wrecks.
Eric Schmitt, a member of the family, was linked to the illegal sale of the coins between 2023 and 2024 through digital forensics and geolocation data.
Authorities recovered 37 coins from private residences, safe deposit boxes, and auctions, though 13 coins remain missing.
The artifacts have been authenticated by historical preservation experts and will be returned to their rightful custodians, highlighting the importance of protecting cultural heritage.