All of her treasure sank with the ship, approximately 30 leagues (140 km) from Havana. After the surviving ships brought the news of the disaster back to Havana, Spanish authorities dispatched another five ships to salvage Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita, which had run aground nearby.

How much money did Mel Fisher get from the Atocha?

With an estimated worth of some $400 million, the Atocha treasure made Fisher, his family members and other investors millionaires. Thanks to efforts by historians and archaeologists as well as environmentalists, Fisher’s success led to reforms in the laws governing shipwrecks and salvage.

How much gold was recovered from the Atocha?

The estimated $450 million cache recovered, known as “The Atocha Motherlode,” included 40 tons of gold and silver; there were some 114,000 of the Spanish silver coins known as “pieces of eight”, gold coins, Colombian emeralds, gold and silver artifacts, and 1000 silver ingots.

What is the richest shipwreck ever found?

On July 20, 1985 – 35 years ago today – Mel Fisher discovered the shipwreck of the Nuestra Senora De Atocha off the Florida Keys. The cargo’s value is estimated to be worth around $400 million. The treasure includes 24 tons of silver bullion, ingots, and coins, 125 gold bars and discs and 1,200 pounds silverware.

Who is the most famous treasure hunter?

Blackbeard was one of the most successful and notorious pirates of the golden age of piracy and he is undoubtedly the most well-known today. He is believed to have amassed fabulous riches during his long reign over the seas, but treasure-hunters have had little luck locating any of that wealth so far.

How much does it cost to invest in Mel Fisher?

A minimum investment in Mel Fisher’s Treasuries is $6,520, but they run to the $150,000 Emerald Level. Investors can visit the wreck site, and the year’s find is shared at an annual Division Party.

Do you get to keep sunken treasure?

If the shipwreck has been submerged for a period of years during which the vessel’s legal owners have not been actively trying to retrieve its contents then the law of finds may apply. A discoverer who finds a shipwreck pursuant to the law of finds is entitled to the full value of all of the goods that are recovered.

What is the biggest sunken treasure ever found?

An Engineer Found the Most Valuable Underwater Treasure Ever Discovered. In July 1985, after a dogged 16-year-search, Mel Fisher found the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which carried $1 billion in treasure.

Is the treasure in Outer Banks real?

The Royal Merchant isn’t a real ship, but it’s based on the real-life 17th century shipwrecked Merchant Royal that went missing off the English coast with a vast treasure that was never found.

Can you dive the Atocha?

As a maritime legend, the Atocha has few rivals; as a diving destination, unfortunately, it leaves too much to the imagination. The ship’s timbers disintegrated long ago, so this is not a wreck dive, despite what you might expect from the hype.

What is the most expensive treasure ever found?

World’s most valuable treasure troves ever uncovered from $22billion lost gold to priceless royal gems

• SAN JOSÉ
• BLACK SWAN PROJECT.
• THE STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD.
• THE PANAGYURISHTE TREASURE.

Are there any buried treasures left?

While some buried treasures have been found, there’s still plenty out there just waiting to be discovered by metal detector, shovel, or puzzle-solving mind. … Alternatively, you might luck out and stumble over some treasure, like these people who found valuable items by accident.

What does Atocha mean in English?

a·to·cha. feminine. botany esparto grass.

What is the greatest treasure never found?

Here are 10 lost treasures of the world whose value cannot be measured.

• Lost Dutchman Mine. …
• The Library of the Moscow Tsars. …
• The Amber Room. …
• Ark of the Covenant. …
• Romanov Easter Eggs. …
• Jewels of King John. …
• Lost Inca Gold. …
• Dead Sea Copper Scroll Treasures. Fragment of a Dead Sea Scroll, Jordan Museum, Amman.

What happens if you find lost treasure?

In California, there is a law mandating that any found property valued over $100 be turned over to police. Authorities must then wait 90 days, advertise the lost property for a week, and finally release it to the person who found it if no one could prove ownership.

How much gold is lost in the ocean?

$771 Trillion Worth Of Gold Lies Hidden In The Ocean: Good Luck Getting It.

How deep is the Atocha shipwreck?

However, those attempts were met with almost immediate failure. One of the five ships ran aground. In time, they did find another ship (the Santa Margarita) that went down with the Atocha. At a depth of approximately 56 feet, the divers had enormous difficulty retrieving the cargo.

How can you tell if a Atocha coin is real?

Typically, they are clearly struck on both the obverse and reverse sides with the mintmark, assayer mark and denomination often all visible. Atocha coins are supplied with the original photo type Certificate of Authenticity.

What are people called that look for treasure?

A treasure hunter is a person who, as either a vocation or avocation, searches for sunken, buried, lost, or hidden treasure and other artifacts.

Can treasure hunters keep what they find?

In the U.S., laws vary by state, but the general conclusion is that going treasure hunting is often a waste of time because you likely can’t keep it. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 states that any “archaeological resources” found on the land of the state belong to the government.

Do treasure hunters get to keep what they find?

Every federal state has their own law that also regulates if a finder gets remuneration. Even though every state has their own law, contrasting with many other places, the gist is this: The state owns all treasures and hardly any state will pay a reward for objects.

Can you be a real treasure hunter?

Buried and hidden treasure may be the stuff of legend and film, but treasure hunters exist – both professionals and hobbyists – and sometimes they do actually find something.