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OVERVIEW:
The "Black Swan", a Colonial period site was discovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration in the Atlantic Ocean. Yielding over 500,000 silver coins weighing more than 17 tons, hundreds of gold coins, worked gold, and other artifacts, it is believed that this recovery constitutes the largest collection of coins ever excavated from a deep ocean site. The wreck is located in an area where a number of Colonial period era ships sank and which is believed to have immense historical significance.
To read the press release, click here.
Status
Odyssey has completed an extensive pre-disturbance archaeological survey and the preliminary excavation of the "Black Swan", recovery of the artifacts recovered to date has been accomplished under the supervision of two archaeologists and has followed rigorous archaeological protocols using advanced robotic technology.
All items were recovered in conformity with Salvage Law and the Law of the Sea Convention, beyond the territorial waters or legal jurisdiction of any country. They have been legally imported into the Unites States and placed in a secure, undisclosed location where they are undergoing documentation and a meticulous conservation process by some of the world's most experienced coin conservators.
There are still a large number of artifacts and possibly more coins on the wreck site. Odyssey is planning a major expedition back to the site that may correlate with an announcement of the identity of the shipwreck.
Based on the results of extensive research, there were a number of Colonial period shipwrecks that were lost in the area where this site is located. The site which is believed to have immense historical significance is carefully documented and recorded.
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