Colombia has officially retrieved the first items from the fabled San José galleon, a shipwreck known as the “Holy Grail of shipwrecks” due to its rumored $20 billion worth of treasure. The wreck, which sank in 1708 during an attack by a British fleet in the Caribbean Sea, was discovered in 2015 and has been the subject of international legal disputes and archaeological interest. The recently recovered artifacts included a porcelain cup, three coins, and a cannon in remarkable condition, sparking renewed attention to the historical significance of the discovery. However, the exact location of the wreck remains a state secret, and Colombia is currently in legal battles with private entities over the ownership of the treasure.
While the San José galleon remains the world’s most valuable known shipwreck, other notable maritime discoveries have surfaced in 2025. This summer, a group of marine experts determined the exact location of Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour, the ship used to reach the eastern coast of Australia. In June, officials unveiled the deepest-recorded shipwreck in French waters, off the coast of Ramatuelle. The ship still retained ancient cargo, including well-preserved porcelain. These discoveries highlight the ongoing efforts to uncover maritime history, but the San José’s potential treasure continues to grab global attention as it remains a focal point of legal and historical debate.