I grew up on the "Treasure Coast" of Florida playing on the same shallow reef near Sebastian Inlet where a galleon from a Spanish treasure fleet wrecked in 1715. Every day I would see treasure divers just offshore and hopeful hunters combing the beach with metal detectors. It was wonderful fodder for a child's imagination. I never found any real treasure, but playing with this design I found all kinds of fun little nuggets. Such as: The PVA on the escudo stands for Spain’s motto, Plus Ultra, which was inscribed as “PLVS VLTRA." You know those 17th century typography nerds — always using Vs for Us even though the letter U had come on the scene in the 1300s. Plus Ultra means "further beyond," a great motto whether you're a seafarer or fashionista.
