The most valuable wreck find in history - Operation Black Swan

We often write you about finding another shipwreck in the depths of the sea. On many of them, their discoverers find valuable objects, which significantly increase the value of the find , e.g. gold and silver in various forms, precious stones or even porcelain. Have you ever wondered which wreck turned out to be the most valuable find in history? What was its name and who was its discoverer?

-- Advertisement --

In 2007, at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, 65km south-west of the English coast, the company Odyssey Marine Exploration, found 17th century wreck. As the find was in international waters, OME representatives applied for full rights to the cargo the found vessel was carrying. Once ownership was granted, exploration and excavation of the find proceeded and the find was given the code name – Black Swan.

Using an ROV device, OME workers excavated some 500,000 colonial-period coins from the wreck, valued at $1,000 apiece. As you can easily calculate, the find was valued at $500million.

To this day there is no certainty as to the name or nationality of the ship found. The only thing that is known is that it came from the era of colonial discoveries and probably sailed from Cadiz. The fact that many shipwrecks have been found in the area makes it difficult to determine more detailed information.

The 2007 discovery dethroned from the position of leader, Wreck of the galleon Nuestra Senora de Atochawhich sank off the coast of Florida in 1622. The treasure, found by Mel Fisher in 1985, was worth $400 million. The whole “Black Swan” action, and the associated profits, resulted in an 80% increase in the share price of Odyssey Marine Exploration.

Source: shipwreck.net