Mel Fisher, Treasure Hunter

Mel Fisher (August 21, 1922 – December 19, 1998) was an American treasure hunter best known for finding the 1622 wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha named after a shrine in Madrid for protection.  He discovered the wreck July 20, 1985. The estimated $450 million cache recovered, known as “The Atocha Motherlode,” included 40 tons of gold and silver.   There were some 100,000 of the Spanish silver coins known as “pieces of eight,” gold coins, Columbian emeralds, gold and silver artifacts, and 1000 silver bars.  

More about this find follows the video of Mel Fisher below.

 

Large as it was, this was only roughly half of the treasure that went down with the Atocha. The wealthiest part of the ship, the stern castle, has yet to be found.  Still missing are 300 silver bars and 8 bronze cannons, among other things.

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Treasure Hunting in Florida

In Florida there are two big draws for treasure hunting: silicified coral and buried treasure complete with gold doubloons and pieces of eight.  Here are some of the best areas for finding treasure, in addition to some useful resources.

 

Gemstone Hunting

The famous silicified coral, first found in the Tampa Bay area around 1825 is the only gemstone of note from the State. Agatized Coral in FloridaSince its discovery in Tampa Bay, the agatized coral also has been found at Tarpon Springs, south of New Port Richey, near the town of Kathleen, and along the banks of the Suwanee River in Hamilton, Columbia, and Suwanee Counties. The material is found in two forms:  as geodes, which represent partial replacement of coral; and as solid pieces which represent total replacement.  It can be blue, red, brown, amber, white, black, or a combination of these colors.

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