DEPARTMENT
LONG-LOST TREASURE: Florida- based explorers found what may be the richest shipwreck treasure ever–a trove of colonial-era gold and silver coins that may be worth $500 million.
A QUESTION OF LINEAGE: Which long-since-downed ship was it? The British Merchant Royal? The H.M.S. Sussex, whose wreckage is claimed by Spain? Odyssey Marine Exploration has yet to identify the vessel.
THE CONTROVERSY: The divers, who brought the loot home, say the ship was in neutral territory. Skeptical officials from Spain vowed to reclaim any booty from Spanish waters.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown
- Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
Contact us at letters@time.com