Colombia recovers treasure from $20B San José galleon shipwreck

Colombian archaeologists have recovered the first items from the legendary San José galleon, a wreck known as the “Holy Grail of shipwrecks” due to its amount of treasure.

The galleon, which sank in the Caribbean Sea in 1708 during an attack by a British fleet, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and international dispute since its discovery in 2015.

The wreckage is believed to contain around 11 million gold and silver coins, as well as emeralds and other valuable goods. His treasure is worth up to $20 billion.

The San José was carrying chests full of jewelry and gold coins when it sank while en route to King Philip V of Spain.

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The galleon San José sank while carrying gold and jewels to King Philip V of Spain in 1708. (Leemage/Corbis via Getty Images; Colombian Presidency/document via Reuters)

On Thursday, Colombia’s Culture Ministry announced that archaeologists had recovered a porcelain cup, three coins and a cannon from the site.

Images released by the government show President Gustavo Petro marveling at the recovered ancient bronze cannon, which remained in remarkable condition.

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The newly announced artifacts represent only a fraction of what the ship was carrying when it sank more than 300 years ago.

Both Colombia and Spain have claimed ownership rights to the treasure. Colombia is in arbitration with Sea Search Armada, a group of American investors who claim to have discovered the wreck in 1982.

The first objects found include a porcelain cup, three coins and a remarkably preserved bronze cannon. (Colombian presidency/document via Reuters)

The exact location of the wreck has remained a state secret and it lies nearly 2,000 feet deep in the sea.

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Petro’s government claimed the deep-sea expedition was focused on research, not treasure hunting.

Although the San Jose Galleon remains the most valuable known shipwreck in the world, other notable maritime discoveries have surfaced in 2025.

Authorities previously shared photos of the wreck showing the remains of the San José galleon, known as the “Holy Grail of shipwrecks.” (Reuters)

This summer, a group of maritime experts determined the exact location of Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour, the ship used to reach Australia’s east coast.

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In June, authorities revealed the deepest shipwreck ever recorded in French waters, off the coast of Ramatuelle. The ship still retained some old goods, including well-preserved porcelain.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.