Sunken treasure returns to Spain after 5-year battle | Bangkok Post: news

One of the most valuable sunken treasures ever found was on its way back to Spain aboard two military aircraft ending a five-year legal battle with the treasure's US -based discoverers.

2007 handout image provided by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., shows members of the Odyssey crew viewing finds on the seabed at the site of the wreck of a Spanish frigate. The treasure, estimated as one of the most valuable ever found, was on its way back to Spain aboard two military aircraft ending a five-year legal battle with the treasure's US -based discoverers.

Valued at some $500 million, the treasure, 595,000 silver and gold coins, along with religious images and chests, was aboard two Spanish Hercules transport planes which left MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa overnight Thursday to Friday and were expected to arrive at Torrejon Air Base near Madrid around noon Saturday.