Book excerpt: From the foreword: "It has been a great comfort over the years to know that Alan Craig was always able and willing to guide the growth of the Florida Collection and provide sound numismatic counsel. His knowledge of the collection is based on years of experience and personal examination of each and every coin. It is a pleasure to be able to present once again a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Florida Collection of Gold Coins."--James J. Miller, state archaeologist and chief, Bureau of Archaeological Research Dazzling numismatic treasures await readers of this new volume that catalogues and characterizes the splendors of the Florida Collection of Spanish Coins. An updated version of the author's earlier publication, Gold Coins of the 1715 Spanish Fleet (now out of print), it includes more than 100 new additions to the collection. The publication of Spanish Colonial Gold Coins in the Florida Collection (alongside its recently released companion, Spanish Colonial Silver Coins in the Florida Collection) makes available Florida's magnificent collection of Spanish coins in richly detailed photographs accompanied by vivid descriptions. Presented in accordance with current numismatic standards of description, analysis, and publication, Alan Craig's account of the coins goes far beyond ordinary standards to bring alive the history of the coins' production, transport, and loss at sea. The perfect guide to this treasure-house, Craig's book conveys the importance and fascination of the largest known collection of Spanish colonial shipwreck coins in the world. For collectors, scholars, and everyone else who has ever been fascinated by Spanish treasure fleets, this book offers countless hours of enjoyment and information. Alan K. Craig is professor emeritus of geography and geology at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and coeditor of In Quest of Mineral Wealth. He is also the author of a companion volume, Spanish Colonial Silver Coins in the Florida Collection.