FOUND IT! Stolen gold coins recovered in 1715 shipwrecks off Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has successfully retrieved 37 gold coins that had been lost to time, valued at over $1 million.
This discovery, a significant milestone in an ongoing saga, has its roots in an investigation that began in 2015 when a family stumbled upon 101 gold coins from the same wrecks while serving as contracted salvage operators for 1715 Fleet — Queens Jewels, LLC.
The tale of the 1715 Fleet is steeped in maritime lore; these treasure-laden Spanish galleons sank during a fierce hurricane that ravaged the coast over three centuries ago, carrying with them stories untold and fortunes lost.
“The artifacts recovered from these wrecks provide a window into history and are protected by state and federal law,” stated the FWC, underscoring the cultural significance of these historic finds.
This latest recovery fuels the flame of interest surrounding the theft and illegal trafficking of Florida’s historical artifacts. Of the coins retrieved, 51 have been adjudicated, while the fate of an additional 50 remains ambiguous; these precious items were confirmed to have been stolen.
The collaboration between FWC and the FBI yielded new evidence as of June 10, 2024. They linked Eric Schmitt, a family member turned suspect, to the illicit sale of several stolen gold coins between 2023 and 2024.
The investigation traversed various fronts, leading agents to discover these coins in private homes, safe deposit boxes, and even at auctions. Five coins were reclaimed from a Florida auctioneer, who unwittingly purchased them from Schmitt.
In their pursuit of justice, the FWC uncovered a photograph showing Schmitt posing with the stolen coins at his Fort Pierce condo. Notably, evidence revealed his audacious act of placing three stolen coins back into the ocean floor in 2016, presumably hoping they would be re-discovered by unsuspecting new investors at 1715 Fleet — Queens Jewels.
The gravity of Schmitt’s actions led to charges of dealing in stolen property. Yet, amidst this tangled web of greed and betrayal, FWC continues to search for the last 13 missing coins.
“This case underscores the importance of safeguarding Florida’s rich cultural heritage and holding accountable those who seek to profit from its exploitation,” said FWC Investigator Camille Soverel, echoing the sentiments of many who treasure the stories embedded within these relics.
Hidden beneath the waves of the Atlantic, these artifacts remind us of a time when the sea was a barrier and a bridge, a source of wonder and danger. Each recovered piece invites contemplation: What tales did these coins carry across centuries? What dreams were bound to their weight? As the sun glints off the ocean surface, it invites both treasure hunters and historians to ponder—not just the value of coinage, but the value of history itself, caught between the waves and the shores of Treasure Coast.
