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Florida authorities recover historic gold coins worth more than $1 million
Florida authorities have announced the recovery of 37 gold coins, valued at more than $1 million, stolen from historic shipwrecks of the Spanish fleet of 1715. The items were looted from the so-called “Treasure Coast,” famous for being the setting for hunting the submerged relics.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) revealed the operation Tuesday after a lengthy investigation. The case has brought to light intriguing details about the illegal trade in historical artifacts.
Gold Coins – A Treasure Lost in Time
The 1715 Fleet, a group of Spanish ships carrying gold, silver and jewels, sank in a hurricane shortly after leaving Havana, Cuba. The wreckage, discovered along the Florida coast, has been a hotbed for explorers and treasure hunters for centuries.
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In 2015, a salvage team including the Schmitt family found 101 gold coins. However, while 51 coins were reported to authorities, another 50 mysteriously disappeared, raising suspicions of theft.
An illegal trade network
Eric Schmitt, a member of the salvage team, has been identified as a key player in the scheme. He was involved in selling stolen coins to private collectors and auction houses between 2023 and 2024. Authorities tracked the coins using advanced technology, including metadata analysis and geolocation from a photograph taken at Schmitt’s condominium in Fort Pierce, Florida.
During the investigation, it was discovered that three stolen coins were acquired and deliberately thrown back into the ocean by Schmitt in 2016. These coins were later “rediscovered” by investors in 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, LLC, the company that manages the salvage rights to the shipwrecks.
A mission for historical preservation
FWC worked closely with historical preservation experts, including Mel Fisher-Abt, to authenticate and evaluate the recovered artifacts. The coins are now ready to be returned to their rightful custodians.
Despite the successful recovery of 37 coins, 13 are still missing. Authorities have vowed to continue the search until all items are located.
“This case reinforces the importance of protecting Florida’s cultural heritage,” said Camille Soverel, FWC investigator. “We cannot allow historic treasures to be exploited for profit.”
Justice and preservation
Eric Schmitt faces charges related to stolen property, a reminder of the consequences for those who try to profit from priceless artisans. As the story of the recovered coins gains prominence, the mystery of the pieces keeps interest in the legacy of the 1715 Fleet alive.
Authorities remain determined to preserve the past and will hold accountable those who dare to plunder it.
