CoinNews

Deep seas, adventure, mystery, suspense and a battle over who owns a sunken treasure ... they are the trappings of an action-adventure movie that could make hundreds of millions.

But it's not a movie. The money involved is no exaggeration and these are no mere plots titles. Everything is real. Florida based exploration, shipwreck and recovery company Odyssey Marine and the Spanish government have been waging a battle within the middle of a courtroom.

At stake are the rights to 17 tons of silver and gold coins - an enormous and extremely valuable coin hoard Odyssey discovered within the 'Black Swan', the code name they gave to the colonial-era shipwreck lying on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

On Thursday, Judge Mark Pizzo of U.S. District Court in Tampa ruled that Odyssey Marine must provide the location of the Black Swan and provide Spain an opportunity to inspect the treasure. In return, all information must remain confidential to protect Odyssey's interests.

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Striking of the first Oklahoma state commemorative quarters began in the U.S. Mint's Denver facility this week with a single ceremonial push of a button.

Oklahoma's First Family was on hand to receive the very first shiny minted quarters. In a NewsOK.com article, Oklahoma's image is in mint condition, Governor Brad Henry was quoted at the event saying:

"I think there's tremendous Oklahoma pride here today,” Henry said after the ceremony. "Coming on the heels of the state centennial, I think it's appropriate that the Oklahoma quarter is the first one in 2008, and it gives Oklahoma a chance to shine throughout the land.”

While the quarter is now going through its production paces, it won't enter public circulation quite yet. Hundreds of millions will be minted and then placed into circulation later this month. The video article by KTEN.com is currently the best source to see an actual photo or image of the Oklahoma quarter.

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