Deep-ocean shipwreck exploration and recovery firm Odyssey Marine Exploration (AMEX: OMR) made world headlines today when it announced it had recovered over 17 tons of artifacts and treasure from a Colonial-period shipwreck code-named “Black Swan” in the Atlantic Ocean.According to the release, the company recovered over 500,000 silver coins from the site, hundreds of gold coins, hand-worked and tool-worked gold, and other period artifacts from the as-yet-undisclosed location.
At this time, the wreck and recovery efforts are shrouded with mystery. All recovered items have been legally imported into the United States and secured in another as-yet-undisclosed location, where they are currently undergoing conservation and documentation. In addition, Odyssey Marine has been quoted as saying they are not prepared to disclose the shipwreck’s identity until further research has been conducted.
“Our research suggests that there were a number of Colonial-period shipwrecks that were lost in the area where this site is located,” Odyssey Marine CEO John Morris said in a press release. “Nevertheless, we have treated this site with kid gloves and the archeological work done by our team out there is unsurpassed. We are thoroughly documenting and recording the site, which we believe will have immense historical significance. ”
Morris isn’t the only one in the company excited by the find. Greg Stemm, Odyssey Marine’s co-founder, was thrilled by the news.
“The remarkable condition of most of the first 6,000 silver coins conserved has been a pleasant surprise, and the gold coins are almost all dazzling mint-state specimens,” Stemm said. “We are excited by the wide range of dates, origins and varieties of the coins, and we believe that the collecting community will be thrilled when they see the quality and diversity of the collection.”
The news of the discovery comes fast on the heels of another of the company’s recent successes; Odyssey Marine recently excavated the SS Republic, a shipwreck lost in 1865 along the U.S. Coast that produced approximately 65,000 artifacts, including more than 50,000 with a retail value of over $75 million.
Odyssey Marine could not be reached for com
