My $1500 coin I bought here that came with Authentication papers and an appraisal said to go up 4%each year is actually valued at $300 with little to no increase in value. Coin valuation fraud and false appraisals taking advantage of customers is the mission. I will be looking into civil compensation.

If you are into history you will love the displays just take time to read and get an understanding for what you are looking at. Very nice people here also, we were met with a smile. the attitude of people who work at places like this mean so much. This is the most interesting place I have ever visited I will return here every time to see what they have discovered

I've been obsessed with Mel Fisher and the Atocha since I was 9-10 years old and rented the Nat-Geo VCR tape from Carnegie Public Library in Freeport, IL. I couldn't miss this museum on my first trip to the Keys as a 32 year old! I was slightly disappointed, but I guess I may have had high expectations. $24 each was a little steep. The exhibits are kinda old and are very hard to photograph due to lighting, the red walls or the artifacts being in plexiglass cases. In fact, none of my photos (Cannon TI3) turned out on multiple settings. The surveillance (?) guy was almost helpful, but was very softly spoken and didn't seem to want to be there. The other 2 exhibits upstairs were disjointed and didn't flow well at all. It's really amazing how well some of the items have been restored. You get to see some cool jewelery and some surprisingly preserved weapons and other artifacts. It was also AWESOME to remember the artifacts I saw on that VCR tape and see them in person, inches from my nose. Pretty cool. On the down-side, having watched the history of this salvage, I know how little was actually displayed at this museum. Where the heck did it all go? I really thought there would be a lot more there. I know that they're salvers and not archeologists, but I expected to see piles of silver bars and gold coins and chains and massive amounts of varying booty. They had replica piles of the silver bars and a small amount of gold bars on display... bleh. The slave-ship display upstairs was cool and unexpected, though. In summary, the average museum goer should instead buy a few DVD's on colonization and the Spanish Main rather than pay $24 a pop to get into this place... unless you're like me... and just can't pass it up!

Just Soso. Really fascinating to see the treasures found on the Atocha.. but it is really short. None the less.. it's not that expensive and the kids liked the gold and silver items. The emeralds were beautiful!!

learned so much about the Atocha that was recovered off the coast of Florida

A most rewarding visit about an adventure of a lifetime.

We haven't been in 6 or so years, but I loved the place. Being able to hold real ingots from the Atocha was awesome. I don't remember the price when we were there, but I do remeber the lack of service; it was all self guided.

Who isn't interested in sunken Spanish ships filled with gold? Great museum. Artifacts, gold, and the amazing history of Mel Fisher's quest for sunken treasure.