Namibia's 16th‑Century Portuguese Ship Bom Jesus Yields 2,000 Gold Coins

Archaeologists have identified a 16th‑century Portuguese trading vessel, likely the lost ship Bom Jesus, whose wreck was uncovered in the Namibian desert after diamond miners stumbled on it in 2008. The ship, which sank off the coast of Namibia in 1533, was found with more than 2,000 gold and silver coins, about 1,845 copper ingots weighing roughly 17 tonnes, and 105 ivory tusks traced to West Africa. The hull remains remarkably intact after five centuries, though no trace of the crew has been located.

Portugal has formally relinquished any claim to the cargo, transferring the treasure to Namibia. In August 2024 the Jasper House Museum in Oranjemund opened an exhibition showcasing the coins, ingots and ivory, and Namibia is planning a dedicated maritime museum to preserve the ship’s legacy.