TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) recovered stolen gold coins from a 1700s shipwreck site worth over $1 million.

The artifacts were discovered in 2015 by members of the Schmitt family, who were working as contracted salvage operators for 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC. The 1715 Fleet Shipwrecks occurred when a hurricane struck the Spanish ships off Florida’s coast.

101 coins were found at the shipwreck sites, but 50 coins were not disclosed to the proper authorities and were stolen. FWC and the FBI launched an investigation after new evidence surfaced in June.

Investigators linked a member of the Schmitt family, Eric Schmitt, to the stolen coins. FWC said Schmitt sold the coins illegally between 2023 and 2024. He was also linked to a photo of the stolen coins taken at the family’s condo 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,” a FWC news release stated.

37 stolen coins were recovered from homes, safe deposit boxes and auctions. They were returned to their rightful custodians. This leaves 13 coins still unaccounted for.

“FWC investigators are committed to recovering the remaining 13 stolen coins and bringing those involved in their illegal sale to justice,” the news release said.

Floridians can report conservation and cultural resource violations to the FWC by downloading the “FWC Wildlife Alert” app, texting 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” and information about the violation, calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.