FLORIDA – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Tuesday it recovered 37 gold coins stolen from the 1715 fleet shipwrecks, worth over $1 million.
According to the FWC, the recovery of these coins marks a “major milestone” in an investigation into the theft and illegal trafficking of these historical artifacts.
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In 1715, Spanish treasure ships sank during a hurricane off Florida’s coast. According to the FWC, the artifacts recovered from these wrecks provide a window into history and are protected by state and federal law.
According to the FWC, in 2015, members of the Schmitt family, working as contracted salvage operators for 1715 Fleet - Queens Jewels, LLC, uncovered a treasure trove of 101 gold coins from the wrecks off Florida’s Treasure Coast. Fifty-one of these coins were reported correctly and adjudicated; however, 50 coins were not disclosed and were stolen.
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FWC investigators, in collaboration with the FBI, launched an investigation after getting new evidence in June 2024. That evidence linked Eric Schmitt, a member of the Schmitt family, to the illegal sale of multiple stolen gold coins between 2023 and 2024, the FWC said in a release.
Investigators executed multiple search warrants, recovering coins from private residences, safe deposit boxes and auctions.
Five stolen coins were reclaimed from a Florida-based auctioneer, who unknowingly purchased them from Schmitt. Advanced digital forensics identified metadata and geolocation data linking Schmitt to a photograph of the stolen coins taken at the Schmitt family condominium in Fort Pierce.
The FWC said it was also discovered that 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.
The FWC has worked closely with historical preservation experts, including Mel Fisher-Abt to authenticate and appraise the recovered artifacts. The investigation also involved partnerships with the 19th and 9th Judicial Circuits, resulting in charges for dealing in stolen property against Schmitt.
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FWC investigators said they are committed to recovering the remaining 13 stolen coins and bringing those involved to justice
“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.