[Travis McGee]

It was ever thus.

Ask Mel Fischer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Fisher

It would still be an atrocity against history to melt irreplaceable Roman gold coins for their melt value, no matter who profits or does not profit.

[JimRed]

“Ask Mel Fischer.”

The site of the wreckage of the Atocha, called “The Bank of Spain” (a sandy area 22 feet deep and within 200 yards of the anchor location),[6] is still being worked on and treasures are slowly being recovered. The emeralds from the Atocha are some of the finest emeralds in the world. They come from the Muzo Mine in Colombia. The emeralds of Muzo are renowned for their color, fire, geometry, and as the world’s finest emeralds.[7][8]

The State of Florida claimed title to the wreck and forced Fisher’s company, Treasure Salvors, Inc., into a contract giving 25% of the found treasure to the state. Fisher’s company fought the state, claiming the find should be the company’s exclusively. After eight years of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of Treasure Salvors and it was awarded rights to all found treasure from the vessel on 1 July 1982.[9][10]The site of the wreckage of the Atocha, called “The Bank of Spain” (a sandy area 22 feet deep and within 200 yards of the anchor location),[6] is still being worked on and treasures are slowly being recovered. The emeralds from the Atocha are some of the finest emeralds in the world. They come from the Muzo Mine in Colombia. The emeralds of Muzo are renowned for their color, fire, geometry, and as the world’s finest emeralds.[7][8]

The State of Florida claimed title to the wreck and forced Fisher’s company, Treasure Salvors, Inc., into a contract giving 25% of the found treasure to the state. Fisher’s company fought the state, claiming the find should be the company’s exclusively. After eight years of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of Treasure Salvors and it was awarded rights to all found treasure from the vessel on 1 July 1982.[9][10]

You know who made out on THAT deal, right? After eight years of litigation? The lawyers, of course!