Florida Recovers $1 Million in Stolen Gold Coins from 1715 Shipwreck

Authorities link the theft and illegal sale of historical artifacts to a decade-old salvage operation and charge a suspect in the case.

Florida officials have recovered 37 gold coins worth over $1 million, stolen from the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet shipwreck off the state's Treasure Coast.
The coins were taken in 2015 during a salvage operation by contractors, with 50 of the 101 discovered coins not properly reported and later stolen.
Eric Schmitt, a member of the salvaging team, has been charged with trafficking in stolen property after evidence linked him to illegal sales in 2023 and 2024.
Investigators used advanced digital forensics to recover the coins from private residences, auctions, and safe deposit boxes, but 13 coins remain missing.
The recovered artifacts, minted in Lima, Peru, between 1697 and 1712, are considered invaluable pieces of history and will be returned to their rightful custodians.