Hurricane Treasure Season

Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean lasts from June 1 to November 30. According to the Associated Press, “the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, are already making the most severe hurricanes even more intense and increasing the likelihood that a developing hurricane will rapidly intensify, leading to more flooding and more powerful storm surges battering coastlines.”

This is horrible news for coastal living and for insurance companies. At the same time, it is great news for treasure hunters.

When hurricanes sweep the coast, dangerous storm surges churn the seabed and beaches revealing long-lost relics. Metal detectorists and sand sifters are the first on the scene to recover the lead, bronze, silver, and gold that hurricanes wash ashore.

Not only are the coastlines changed by the hurricanes, but at shallow depths, the waters can churn up barely sunken treasures. Snorkelers and Divers braving Atlantic waters have a better chance of finding treasure after a hurricane moves through.

Global Newswire reports that Florida-based Treasure and Shipwreck Recovery Inc. has found numerous treasures in recent years including:

• A total of six size 8 Reales (Spanish silver coins) to be valued from Mexico Mint, Years to TBD, Value varies on Grade
• A total of twenty-two Spanish Reales in demonations(sic) of 1, 2 and 4 Reales – From 1715 Wrecks, Value TBD
• A total of twenty-two size 2 Reales – coins from the Mexican Spanish government / Mexico mint dating from 1780 to early 1800’s – Charles and Philip facials, Value TBD

Northern hemisphere hurricanes travel one of two broad paths. They either turn north and follow the Eastern seaboard, or skim the Florida peninsula and gather strength crossing the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf Coast hid the El Cazador shipwreck from 1784 until August 1993, shortly after Hurricane Calvin’s rain bands deluged central Mexico while the eye was still centered over the Gulf.

Irish Pirate Paddy, Patrick Scott and French Pirate Jean Lafitte frequented the Gulf coast of Mississippi, and legends of their buried treasures abound.

What hurricane treasures with Mother Nature uncover next?

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See you next time on Pendant and Ring.

Read More:
Associated Press. Fact Check Climate Change Hurricanes Florida. September 14, 2023.
Global Newswire. Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery Treasure Allocation from 2021 and 2022. September 13, 2023.
Black Indians United. Legend of El Cazador. date unknown.
Sun Herald. A pirate reigned terror from New Orleans to Mobile. Did he bury treasure on the MS Coast? August 18, 2023.