• Loot found in the wreck of Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes
• Center of a five-year legal battle between U.S. salvage company and Spain
• US firm Odyssey Marine Exploration found the haul in a wreck off Portugal's Atlantic coast in 2007

...Only a tiny portion of the haul from the galleon that sank off Portugal's Atlantic coast near the straits of Gibraltar was shown to the media - 12 individual silver coins, a block of encrusted silver coins stuck together after centuries underwater, two gold tobacco boxes and a bronze pulley.

Authorities who have been inventorying the treasure since it was flown from Florida to Spain in February said it will be transferred later this year from Madrid to the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology in the Mediterranean city of Cartagena.

Displays are expected to start next year, with some items put on rotating temporary displays at museums across the country.

Though previous estimates have put the value of the treasure at $500 million, Spanish officials said they weren't trying to determine an amount because the haul is part of the nation's cultural heritage and can never be sold under Spanish law.

'It's invaluable,' said Elisa de Cabo, the Culture Ministry's deputy director of national heritage.

'How would you put a price on the Mona Lisa?"

Spain took possession of the treasure after courts rejected arguments that Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration was entitled to all or most of the treasure.