Ruling on the 1804 Spanish Galleon Sunken Treasure
Odyssey discovered hundreds of silver coin concretions lying on the seabed at the Black Swan site. More than 500,000 silver coins, weighing more than 17 tons, were scattered over the site which comprised an area larger than six football fields. (Photo:
For the Geo Quiz, we are looking for a sunken treasure. The treasure sank in 1804 aboard Spanish galleon.
It was found five years ago by an American salvage company. Some say it was the richest shipwreck find in the history, worth about $500 million.
We want you to name the place where the loaded galleon sank. The wreck was found just off the Spanish coast near the body of water that divides Spain and Morocco. In ancient times, this strait was dubbed the Pillars of Hercules.
Strait of Gibraltar is the answer to the Geo Quiz.
The treasure sunk after the British sunk the Spanish ship and it was found in 2007 by Odyssey Marine Exploration of Tampa, Florida. But since its discovery, Spain has argued that the money is theirs and a US Federal Court ruling declared that the 17 tons of coins belong to Spain.
Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks to Richard Mullins, business reporter for the Tampa Tribune, about the story.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?