The Top 12 Most Incredible (& Profitable) Underwater Finds Ever

9. The Black Swan, Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes

Estimated Current Value: $500 million* Disappeared Year: 1804 Year Found: 2007. It should go without saying that a mission transporting millions of dollars' worth of gold is dangerous. Ships not arriving at their destination were not unheard of. Sadly, in 1804, the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes was unable to reach its intended objective.

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The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes (Black Swan) / Wikimedia.com / Benjamin Núñez González Following a hostile run-in with the British, the ship fell to the bottom of the ocean, taking its wealth with it. A haulage company discovered the amazing $500 million wreck off the coast of South America in 2007. Before Spain eventually took it back, they named it the Black Swan.

10. Republic of SS

Estimated Current Value: $1150 million* Disappeared Year: 1865 Discovered in 2003 The SS Republic had a noble purpose in mind. Sent to aid in the post-Civil War cleanup efforts, it traveled from Georgia to New Orleans carrying a hull full of pennies. If the ship hadn't sunk like a stone, that money would have supported the city and helped it rebuild.

@coble_and_keel, @ShipwreckSilver, and Twitter.com The SS Republic To the great joy of treasure hunters aboard the Odyssey Marine Exploration, the wreck was found in 2003. This sinking ship's estimated value is about $150 million based on the discovery of over 51,000 coins. That exceeds the value of several well-known musicians.