Salvage company ‘shocked and disappointed’ after stolen gold coins

FORT PIERCE, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Wednesday they recovered stolen coins worth more than $1 million as part of an investigation into the illegal trade in historical artifacts.

Researchers said these coins come from sunken Spanish ships from the 18th century that gave the Treasure Coast its name.

WPTV is investigating and getting responses from those who may have been wronged.

In 2015, 101 of the gold coins were brought to the surface just south of Fort Pierce Inlet and put on display that day.

However, police said only 51 of those coins were properly reported and the other 50 were stolen.

FWC said evidence emerged over the summer that Eric Schmitt had illegally sold multiple coins over the past two years.

According to investigators, coins were found in private homes, safe deposit boxes and auctions. Five coins were recovered from an auctioneer who had unknowingly purchased them from Schmitt.

Schmitt was also linked to a photo of the stolen coins taken at the Schmitt family condominium in Fort Pierce.

FWC also said Schmitt took three of the stolen coins and placed them on the ocean floor in 2016 so they could be found by the exclusive salvage company’s new investors.

WPTV contacted that recovery company and received this response that read:

We also spoke briefly on the phone with Schmitt, who told us he was taking the blame for others.

FWC said he is charged with trafficking in stolen property.

A spokesperson for Florida Fish and Wildlife told WPTV they would have no further comment on the case as it works its way through the courts.