Divers Search For 'Extremely Rare' Gold Coins 1840 Shipwreckoff South Carolina

The continental shelf extends far into the Atlantic off the Carolinas. I've been out beyond 50 miles and the bottom is anywhere from 50 to 100 feet, depending on where you're sitting.

Time to grab my scuba gear!

I'm wondering how they know that some of the coins that they haven't found yet will be extremely rare coins?

"Among the passengers was a businessman who reportedly lost $20,000 in gold pieces, says Blue Water Ventures International.

"You can imagine what they would be worth now," said Keith Webb of Blue Water Ventures. "Some of these coins are extremely rare and would help fill in gaps when it comes to the history of American coins. We know of 10 gold pieces that were recovered at the site years ago, and they sold for $70,000 each."

"reportedly had $20,000 in gold coins. Any confirmation? That would have been the equivalent of a businessman today traveling with between two and three million dollars in cash.

They know of 10 pices that were sold for $70,000 each? Specifics? What coins and where were they sold?

Most gold coins that would be in an 1840 wreck would have been 1834 to 1839 classic head quarter and half eagles. Most older coins had been removed from circulation five years or so earlier when the gold content of the coins was reduced.