TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Peru Makes Claim For Sunken Treasure Found By Odyssey

Associated Press photo

Ground crew members unload more than 17 tons of colonial-era silver coins in May 2007.

ADVERTISEMENT

By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

TAMPA - Another claim has been made for the enormous sunken treasure recovered last year from the Atlantic Ocean by Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.

The Tampa-based deep-sea salvage company said today that Peru has filed a claim in U.S. District Court in Tampa for the treasure, 17 tons of colonial-era coins worth an estimated $500 million.

The coins aboard the shipwreck, code named Black Swan, included gold doubloons minted in 1803 in Lima, Peru, bearing the image of Spain's King Carlos IV, coin experts have said.

Spain also has filed a claim for the treasure, maintaining it was taken from a 19th century Spanish warship sunk by the British navy south of Portugal in 1804.

In a news release, Odyssey said it questions whether Peru's claim would stand up in court.

Odyssey CEO Greg Stemm said, "Peru's filing raises a significant and timely question relating to whether a former colonial power or the colonized indigenous peoples should receive the cultural and financial benefit of underwater cultural heritage derived from the previously colonized nations."

Odyssey has repeatedly said that the treasure was recovered from a site beyond the territorial waters of any country and expects the court will award the company the majority of the treasure, now held in a warehouse in Tampa.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870 or rray@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT