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The Black Swan Project is the project name given by Odyssey Marine Exploration for its discovery and recovery of an estimated US$500 million (£314 million) worth of silver and gold coins, from the ocean floor. The source of the treasure was initially rumored to be the ''Merchant Royal'', which sank near Land's End in 1641.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Shipwreck yields estimated $500 million in gold and silver coins )〕 However, the most likely scenario now is that the recovered cargo was being carried by the ''Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes'', which sank off Portugal in 1804. However, there still remains some uncertainty as to the true source of the treasure. Knowledge of the recovery became public on May 18, 2007 when the company flew 17 tons〔(Shipwreck yields historic riches — US$500M worth ) - CNN — Obtained May 19, 2007〕 of coins, mostly silver, from Gibraltar to a secure location of unknown address in Florida, USA. The company did not release the type, date, or nationality of the coins. At the time, Odyssey said that it planned to return to the site to perform an excavation expected to uncover more coins as well as other artifacts.〔(How to find a treasure trove ) - BBC News — Obtained May 19, 2007〕 However, a dispute over the ownership of the coins has been winding its way through U. S. courts. Without commenting on the issue of ownership, the courts have so far decided that the treasure should be returned to Spain and, by court order, Odyssey is shipping it to them. Odyssey said it would pursue all legal avenues still open to it, taking the case to the U. S. Supreme Court if necessary. Odyssey intended to file its Petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on or before February 27, 2012. On February 27, 2012 the ship's treasure was flown back to Spain where it is expected that the coins will be distributed to museums. ==Ship identity== Odyssey Marine stated on 21 May 2007 that most of the recovered coins and treasure are believed to be from a particular shipwreck, but it was likely that artifacts from other wrecks had also been mixed in and were recovered. Odyssey said that due to the location of the ship in an area known to contain a large number of colonial-era wrecks, the identity of the ship would not be disclosed pending further examination of the coins and artifacts.〔 It was also thought the treasure might be from a ship that Odyssey had petitioned a federal court for permission to salvage, which was located off the southwest coast of the United Kingdom,〔 within a five-mile (8 km) radius of .〔(500 Million Bucks Under The Sea ), from The Smoking Gun〕 Mike Johnson initially speculated that the treasure might be from the wreck of the English merchant ship ''Merchant Royal'', which sank on 23 September 1641 whilst returning to London. That ship sank in heavy weather when its pumps failed to keep up with the water leaking through the hull planks. Over half the crew, including the captain, John Limbrey, were able to abandon ship and were rescued by a sister-ship, ''Dover Merchant'', which was accompanying ''Merchant Royal'' from Cadiz to London. The survivors provided a detailed description of the lost cargo — described in 1641 as "300,000 Pounds in silver, 100,000 Pounds in gold, and as much again in jewel" — as well as a general location near the Isles of Scilly, about "21 leagues" (about 35 to 40 miles) from Lands End.〔 In 2005, the co-founder of Odyssey Marine, Greg Stemm, had admitted to British shipwreck expert, Richard Larn, that his firm was searching for the ''Merchant Royal''. Odyssey Marine's sonar search ships trolled the area extensively in 2005 and 2006, frequently calling in Falmouth for crew rest.〔 The Odyssey crew continued to search for the ship on the Discovery Channel 2009 television show ''Treasure Quest'' (filmed in 2008). Pictures of the coins released by Odyssey have had their markings obscured to prevent identification. However, from examining the edges of the coins it appears that they come from the middle of the 18th century — too late to be from the Merchant Royal.〔(Stop, that's our treasure, Spain tells Britain ) - The Times - Obtained June 23, 2007〕 Rare coin expert Nick Bruyer, who examined a sample of 6,000 coins from the wreck, said of the discovery, "For this colonial era, I think (the find) is unprecedented... I don't know of anything equal or comparable to it."〔 He also believes much or all of the coinage is uncirculated.〔 The finds were shipped in a chartered jet to an undisclosed location in the United States to be examined.〔〔(Record wreck 'found off Cornwall' ) - BBC News - Obtained May 19, 2007〕 Odyssey said they expected the wreck to become one of the "most publicised in history".〔 The entire operation is thought to have taken years and cost millions.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Black Swan Project」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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