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Friday, 9th May 2008 (2681 views)

The government of Spain has formally laid claim to a 19th century shipwreck discovered by a
US deep-sea exploration company that contained coins and treasure valued at $500 million (£255 million), according to reports.

The Associated Press states that Spanish authorities say the wreck, which was found by Odyssey Marine Exploration in May 2007, is the Nuestra Senora de la Mercedes, a Spanish navy warship that was sunk in the Atlantic by British vessels in 1804.

On board were 200 people, along with a cargo of around 500,000 coins and other treasures.

Spanish culture ministry coin expert Carmen Marcos told the news service that gold doubloons - also known as pieces of eight - found on board the ship prove the wreck is the Mercedes as they were minted in 1803 in Lima, Peru, with the image of Spain's King Carlos IV.

It has now filed evidence to support its claim with a court in Tampa, Florida, where Odyssey Marine Exploration is based.

Odyssey disputes Spain's claim to the gold, saying there is not enough evidence to prove the identity of the sunken ship.

Spain previously withdrew a claim against Odyssey for gold found aboard another wreck, the Black Swan. It has an additional claim that is ongoing.

 

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