37 gold coins stolen from the 1715 Treasure Fleet shipwrecks, valued collectively at over $1 million, were recently recovered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) with assistance from the FBI. The gold coins were originally discovered off the coast of Vero Beach, Florida.
The 1715 Treasure Fleet was two Spanish treasure fleets, the Nueva Espana Fleet and the Tierra Firme Fleet, that returning from the “New World” to Spain. After departing from Havana, Cuba in 1715, all 11 ships in the fleet, which were also carrying silver and other artifacts that have since been found, were sunk when a hurricane hit the east coast of Florida, killing around 1,500 sailors.
In 2015, contractors for the treasure salvage company 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC, discovered $4.5 million worth of gold coins from the 1715 Fleet shipwreck site known as the Corrigans wreck. However, only 51 of the 101 gold coins found off Florida’s Treasure Coast were reported correctly and adjudicated. The other 50 were not disclosed and were later stolen.
On June 10, 2024, new evidence emerged, leading to an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. That investigation subsequently linked Eric Schmitt, a member of the Schmitt family that had been contracted by 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC. to the theft.
“Investigators executed multiple search warrants, recovering coins from private residences, safe deposit boxes and auctions,” the FWC reported in a press release issued this week.
“Five stolen coins were reclaimed from a Florida-based auctioneer, who unknowingly purchased them from Eric Schmitt. Advanced digital forensics identified metadata and geolocation data linking Eric Schmitt to a photograph of the stolen coins taken at the Schmitt family condominium in Fort Pierce.
“It was also discovered that Eric Schmitt took three of the stolen gold coins and placed them on the ocean floor in 2016 to be found by the new investors of 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC.”
In collaboration with the FBI, we have successfully recovered 37 gold coins stolen from the 1715 Fleet shipwrecks. These coins are collectively valued at over $1 million! #CaseOfTheWeek pic.twitter.com/9irWvzGohz
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) November 26, 2024
Eric Schmitt has now been charged with dealing in stolen property. 13 of the stolen gold coins still remain unaccounted for.
“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.
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Stolen Gold Coins Worth Over $1 Million, Taken From Shipwrecks, Recovered By Authorities
Pinoy Human Rights
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