Florida

Treasure Hunters Find $1M in Gold, 300 Years After Shipwreck

The artifacts date from a 1715 maritime tragedy in which 11 Spain-bound galleons were lost during a hurricane.

A family of treasure hunters has found more than $1 million worth of gold artifacts off the coast of Florida.

Multiple media outlets reported Monday that boat captain Eric Schmitt and his family made the find June 17, about 15 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean off Fort Pierce.

Brent Brisben is the co-founder of 1715 Fleet - Queens Jewels LLC, the company that owns the rights to the wreckage where the family found the gold. Brisben says the artifacts date from a 1715 maritime tragedy in which 11 Spain-bound galleons were lost during a hurricane.

He says the items recovered include 51 gold coins and 40 feet of ornate gold chain. There's also a rare coin called a Royal that was destined for the king of Spain.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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