Over 400 Moroccan gold coins found in 17th-century shipwreck off England

British researchers, including experts from the British Museum, Bournemouth University, and the South West Maritime Archaeology Group, identified the wreck in June 2026 as the Dom van Keulen, a Dutch merchant ship that departed Morocco for the Netherlands in autumn 1633. The vessel encountered severe weather, took on water, and sank near the English coast, though its crew survived. The ship's cargo included 150 bags of gum arabic, 64 bags of saltpeter, 320 goat hides, and 9,000 Barbary ducats, which were Moroccan gold coins.

While much of the cargo was likely salvaged after the sinking, over 400 gold coins remained underwater for centuries until their discovery. This find highlights Morocco's significant role in 17th-century trade under the Saadian dynasty, connecting African gold routes with European powers like the Netherlands. Dutch merchants sought gold, hides, and other goods in Morocco, with some gold being melted down for international currency.

The approximately 30-meter-long wreck lies at a depth of nearly 18 meters and also yielded jewelry, ceramic objects, shipboard utensils, anchors, cannons, and navigation instruments. The recovered coins and artifacts are now housed at the British Museum, providing material evidence of Morocco's historical trade links between Africa and Europe.