Last week, while searching near the the wreck of  Nuestra Senora de Atocha, Bill Burt, a diver for Mel Fisher’s Treasures, found a 17th century gold chain worth $250,000.

Deep sea treasure: 17th century gold chain worth $250,000 plucked from ocean bed near Atocha wreck

In 1622 the a fleet of twenty-eight ships left Havana bound for Spain loaded with the treasure of an empire. Among them was the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which carried 24 tons of silver bullion in 1038 ingots, 180,00 pesos of silver coins, 582 copper ingots, 125 gold bars and discs, 350 chests of indigo, 525 bales of tobacco, 20 bronze cannon and 1,200 pounds of worked silverware.   The Atocha was lost in a hurricane. A second hurricane scattered her wreckage.

In July of 1985, after a sixteen year search Mel Fischer located at least part of the wreckage and recovered artifacts, gold, silver and emeralds valued at more than $450million.   Still missing, however, is the sterncastle, where it is believed that most of the gold and rare Muzo emeralds would have been stored for safekeeping in the captain’s cabin.  Fischer’s divers have been searching for the remaining treasure of the Atocha for more than 25 years.   The gold chain may be a tantalizing taste of treasure yet unfound.

Thanks to Irwin Bryan for passing along the article.