A Treasure Lost in 1715 Resurfaces in 2025

This summer marked a historic moment on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Salvage crews recovered more than 1,000 silver coins and several gold coins from the wreck of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet, one of the most famous shipwrecks in maritime history. The discovery included reales (silver coins) and escudos (gold coins), many with visible mint marks and dates—providing an extraordinary glimpse into the wealth and craftsmanship of the Spanish Empire.

The story of the fleet is as dramatic as it is tragic. On July 31, 1715, eleven Spanish galleons carrying vast riches from the New World to Spain were struck by a hurricane and driven onto Florida’s reefs. Thousands lost their lives, and an estimated $400 million in treasure sank beneath the waves. For centuries, this tragedy has captured the imagination of historians, divers, and treasure hunters alike.

The crew of It’s Just Right is a subcontractor of 1715 Fleet Queens Jewels. The latest recovery suggests the coins likely came from a single chest scattered by the storm, preserved beneath the sand for over three centuries. Each artifact connects us to the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire, when Spain’s power was fueled by the riches of the Americas.

At Big Blue Treasures, we are dedicated to preserving and sharing this history. Our upcoming jewelry collection will feature authentic silver and gold from these shipwreck recoveries, carefully crafted to honor the legacy of the 1715 Fleet and the empire it once served.