March 31, 2025 – (KEY WEST, FL). On Thursday, April 10, join author and shipwreck enthusiast Dr. Brian Magrane as he shares his vast knowledge of Florida shipwreck treasure and the art of “reading” Spanish seventeenth- and eighteenth-century coins. His lecture, titled “Florida Shipwreck Treasure Coins,” is part of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Distinguished Speaker Series. The talk takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton Street.
Historic coins provide vital clues to world events and alliances. The heraldic symbolism stamped on both sides of European coins is imperative to archeologists’ understanding of particular time periods, turbulent political landscapes, and the history of submerged artifacts. During this informative talk, Dr. Magrane will analyze his own extensive collection which consists of coins struck in South America and were loaded onto ships bound for Spain. More specifically, he will concentrate on the shipwreck treasures of both the Nuestra Señora de Atocha of the 1622 Fleet and the vast gold coins of the 1715 Fleet.
Dr. Brian Magrane is an Islamorada-based physician and is the author of “Tortugas Deep-Sea: The Story of a Merchant Ship.” In addition to being an author, he is also an avid shipwreck coin collector. He became fascinated by Florida’s sunken treasures and has been heavily involved in maritime heritage projects and shipwreck treasure research.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Magrane as April’s distinguished speaker. We had the pleasure of hosting him three years ago to speak on a different shipwreck topic,” says Cori Convertito, curator for the Society. “He is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker who is well acquainted with coin reading, as well as being conversant in the Spanish treasure fleets, the shipwrecks themselves, and subsequent salvage efforts.”
To reserve your spot at the lecture; visit kwahs.org/whats-on. Tickets are $13 for KWAHS members, $17 for non-members. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the event. For more information, contact Dr. Cori Convertito on 305-295-6616 x507 or [email protected].
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IMAGE 1: Shipwreck coins from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and the 1715 Treasure Fleet will be featured in the upcoming Distinguished Speaker Series talk, “Florida Shipwreck Treasure Coins” with Dr. Brian Magrane and hosted by the Key West Art & Historical Society on Thursday, April 10. Tickets for the event are available on kwahs.org/dss-coins. (Photo Credit: Dr. Brian Magrane)
