The San José galleon sank off the coast of Colombia in 1708 during a battle with British forces. Many of the treasures on board the San José were taken from Colombian and Peruvian mines using slave labor, Insider previously reported. ARMADA DE COLOMBIAIn 1708, the year the San José met its tragic fate, Spain was in the midst of the War of Spanish Succession. ARMADA DE COLOMBIAOn the night of June 8, 1708, British commander Charles Wager attacked the Spanish fleet near Cartagena, Colombia. By modern estimates, the San José may contain between $4 billion and $20 billion of riches, according to Bloomberg.

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Persons: —, José, Spain's, King Philip of Anjou, Charles of Austria, Philip of Anjou, King Louis XIV, Philip, Charles Wager Organizations: British, Service, West Indies Fleet, Spanish, Expedition, Bloomberg Locations: San, Colombia, Colombian, San Jose, COLOMBIA, Spain, Spanish, France, Cartagena , Colombia, Santa Cruz, American, Bolivia