# Treasure hunters find 55-pound copper ingot at 400-year-old shipwreck

> Treasure hunters locate massive copper ingot near Florida Keys shipwreck, hinting at 19 more targets.
- Title: Treasure hunters find 55-pound copper ingot at 400-year-old…
- Summary: Treasure hunters locate massive copper ingot near Florida Keys shipwreck, hinting at 19 more targets. Copper ingot from 1622 Spanish shipwreck shows path to…
- Keywords: nuestra senora de atocha, mel fisher, shipwreck expeditions, copper ingot, florida keys, treasure hunting, 1622 shipwreck, silver bar, underwater exploration, metal detector, news, politics
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/travel/faint-signal-leads-treasure-hunters-massive-discovery-legendary-400-year-old-wreck
- Author: Andrea Margolis
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nuestra senora de atocha, mel fisher, shipwreck expeditions, copper ingot, florida keys, treasure hunting, 1622 shipwreck, silver bar, underwater exploration, metal detector, news, politics
## Copper ingot discovery
Treasure hunters found a 55-pound copper ingot at the Nuestra Señora de Atocha shipwreck site off Florida Keys.

> I thought it was a cannon, but it ended up being a copper ingot, which was also very exciting.
## Historic shipwreck context
The Spanish galleon sank in 1622 during a hurricane while returning to Spain, carrying silver, gold, and emeralds.
## Copper's historical value
Copper was a precious resource in the 1600s for making bronze cannons, owned only by royalty.
## New technology reveals targets
Metal detectors now detect targets deeper in mud, leading to 19 high-value targets for exploration.
## Recent silver bar find
Earlier this summer, the team discovered a 22.5-pound silver bar that remained intact despite marine growth.
## Captain's confidence
Captain Drake Nicholas believes the copper ingot points to more treasure, including 19 new targets.
## Historic significance
The Nuestra Señora de Atocha sank in 1622, making it one of the most significant Spanish shipwrecks in history.
## Key takeaway

Copper ingot from 1622 Spanish shipwreck shows path to larger treasure haul.