In 1987, an iron cannon was found by two surfers who reported it to the lifeguard, Peter Leo, on Jupiter Beach. Two days later, the same lifeguard found the cannon while swimming and contacted Captain Dominic Addario, a master mariner and marina owner, for help investigating the mysterious find. Throughout two weeks, they discovered more cannons, then silver “pieces of eight”, rare gold coins, and a 78-pound ingot of silver!

Later to be known at “Jupiter Wreck,” the artifacts and treasure was found to be from the wreck of San Miguel De Archangel in 1659. According to archival records, this ship was most likely an “aviso”, a relatively fast ship whose goal was to carry crown documents to Mexican colonies from Spain, and report back to the monarchy with colonial treasury accounts, court cases, religious correspondence, etc.

As you may imagine, silver and gold minted Lima coins were also present on this ship in attempts to win the King of Spain’s approval, which is believed to be scattered along the Jupiter coastline. Further proof that this shipwreck is San Miguel De Archangel was on the backside of a note sent with a different aviso a year later stating “The aviso ship under Juan Ramirez de Miranda wrecked off the coast of Florida.” Juan Ramirez de Miranda was the documented Captain of San Miguel.

Jupiter Coins is a subcontractor of Jupiter Wreck, Inc, the principal investigator of the Jupiter Shipwreck Project appointed by the Federal Government of the United States. In agreement with the State of Florida, they give back 20% of profits to the community along with truly unique artifacts and coins displayed at various state and private museums. Artifacts like the cannon shown here are displayed throughout local community parks and museums in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Jupiter Coins also offers authentic pieces of history in the shipwreck shop located on their website.