Shipwreck Silver coin, Maravillas, 8r

Shipwreck Silver coin, Maravillas, 8 reale.  Allen Ex certificate.

The Maravillas shipwreck is one of the most significant maritime discoveries in the history of underwater archaeology. The Maravillas, a Spanish treasure galleon, sank off the coast of the Florida Keys in 1656. It was part of a fleet returning from Havana, Cuba, carrying valuable cargo to Spain. The ship’s cargo included gold, silver, and precious jewels, as well as textiles, tobacco, and other trade goods. This made it a highly sought-after target for salvagers, as well as a key historical artifact for researchers.

Maravillas

The Maravillas was part of a fleet of ships carrying treasures from the New World to Spain during the Spanish colonial period. While navigating in the waters off the Florida Keys during a storm, the ship ran aground on a reef and eventually sank. Despite efforts by its crew to save the vessel, the Maravillas and its precious cargo were lost to the sea. Over the centuries, the wreck remained largely forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1950.

A major breakthrough in the exploration and excavation of the Maravillas came in the 1980s with the involvement of treasure hunter and marine archaeologist Allen Exploration (Allen Ex), led by the famed underwater archaeologist Allen A. Eckerd. Allen Ex was instrumental in locating the wreck in the 1980s, after years of research and scanning of the sea floor. Under Eckerd’s guidance, a team of divers and marine archaeologists began excavating the wreck, recovering a wealth of artifacts. These discoveries are important not only for their material value but also for their insights into the daily life, trade, and culture of the 17th century.

Artifacts recovered from the Maravillas wreck by Allen Ex include silver bars, gold coins, intricate jewelry, and religious items, which provide a glimpse into the wealth and religious practices of the time. Notably, the team found several chests of coins and other treasure, including pieces that had been part of the royal Spanish treasure hoard. The excavation also unearthed items related to the ship’s functioning, such as ceramics, navigational instruments, and ship fittings. These findings help illustrate the high level of Spanish colonial maritime trade and the significant role the Maravillas played in connecting the Americas with Europe.

The Maravillas wreck site is now considered one of the most important underwater archaeological sites, shedding light on Spain’s treasure fleets, and the dangerous, stormy waters they navigated. The recovered artifacts, preserved in museums and private collections, continue to tell the story of the Maravillas and its place in history.

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