Colombian authorities revealed five items from the famous San José shipwreck on 19 November 2025 in Cartagena de Indias. The San José sank in 1708 carrying royal treasure and is called the “holy grail of shipwrecks.” The recovered objects include a cannon, a porcelain cup, three gold and bronze hand-struck coins called macuquinas, and porcelain fragments. These are the first artifacts ever taken from the protected site lying nearly 2,000 feet underwater in the Caribbean. Colombia’s project, "Towards the Heart of the San José Galleon," is a careful scientific effort to study the wreck slowly and respectfully, not rush to loot the treasure. Earlier this year, robotic scans mapped and imaged the wreck. These showed no signs of illegal takes, confirming the site is intact. Now, remotely operated vehicles have brought a carefully selected small sample to the surface. The coins date from 1707 and carry marks showing they were minted in Lima. These details help researchers trace the ship’s cargo and origins. The porcelain signals high-value trade goods, possibly from China. The cannon could reveal how the ship fought and sank during its final battle with the British. All items were stabilized after recovery to avoid damage. They will undergo scientific tests to learn their material, origin, and history. San José sank off Cartagena during a 1708 battle in the War of Spanish Succession. It carried about 200 tonnes of gold, silver, and gems bound for King Philip V. Almost 600 crew members died, with only 11 survivors. The wreck’s treasure is valued up to $18 billion today. Its exact location was kept secret by Colombia after official discovery in 2015. Legal battles continue with US salvage company Sea Search-Armada and Spain, while Indigenous groups highlight colonial exploitation. Colombian Culture Minister Yannai Kadamani Fonrodona called the recovery a "historic event" showing Colombia’s commitment to preserving underwater cultural heritage. Archaeologists say the find brings citizens closer to the ship’s rich history through real objects from the deep sea.