10 Lost Treasure Tales That Could Be True

The Lost Treasure of the Flor de la Mar

Historical Background

La Flor de la Mar, a grand Portuguese ship, was originally launched in Renowned for its size and capacity, it became an important vessel for carrying riches between Europe and the New World. The ship was part of a fleet that carried treasure from the East Indies to Portugal, laden with gold, silver, pearls, and spices. By the early 1500s, it had become a prized possession of the Portuguese crown.

The Fateful Journey

On November 20, 1511, La Flor de la Mar set sail from Malacca (present-day Malaysia) heading towards Portugal. The ship was heavily loaded with treasures, including an estimated 2 million ducats worth of gold and silver. The journey, however, was doomed when the ship encountered a ferocious storm off the coast of present-day Vietnam.

The Recovery Efforts

After the storm, La Flor de la Mar sank in the South China Sea near present-day Hainan Island. Despite numerous expeditions by various explorers and treasure hunters over the centuries, no conclusive evidence has led to the recovery of its treasures. Reports suggest that various items have been found, but the bulk of the treasure remains lost beneath the waves, igniting a wave of speculation and intrigue about where this fortune could still be hidden.

Theories and Legends

Several theories circulate regarding the possible locations of La Flor de la Mar’s treasure. Some suggest that the treasure may lie scattered across the seabed of the South China Sea, while others believe it could have been secreted away by locals or other seafaring explorers who stumbled upon it.

The Treasure of Captain Kidd

Who Was Captain Kidd?

William Kidd, known as Captain Kidd, was born in Scotland in 1645 and became a notorious pirate and privateer. Initially hired to hunt pirates in the Indian Ocean, Kidd’s life took a fateful turn when he turned to piracy himself, leading to his infamous downfall. His tale is both romanticized and tragic, culminating in his capture and execution in

Legend of the Treasure

Upon his arrest, Kidd was rumored to have buried a substantial amount of treasure on Gardiner’s Island off the coast of New York. It is believed that he buried his loot in an effort to secure some form of inheritance for his family, fearing the authorities would confiscate his ship and possessions.

Search for the Gold

Over the centuries, treasure hunters have flocked to Gardiner’s Island, seeking the rumored treasure of Captain Kidd. Accounts and letters written by Kidd allude to it, but no definitive discovery has confirmed the existence of this buried bounty. Some have devoted their lives to the hunt; others have abandoned their efforts, leaving the mystery unsolved.

The Lost Gold of the Confederate Army

The Historical Context

As the American Civil War drew to its conclusion in 1865, the Confederate Army found itself in disarray, and many Confederate leaders sought to transport their wealth to avoid losing it to Union forces. One such operation involved transporting gold and silver bullion, valued at several million dollars from the Confederate Treasury.

The Disappearance

The Confederate gold was to be loaded onto a train in Georgia and sent to a safe location. However, the train was intercepted, and the gold was never seen again. Various theories point to the loot being hidden in the mountains of North Carolina, where Confederate soldiers were said to have buried it, or to other locations including Alabama or Mississippi.

Ongoing Searches

Since the war, treasure hunters and historians have painstakingly searched numerous locations, following clues from old maps and local lore. In some cases, areas have been excavated with advanced technologies, but no successful recoveries of this treasure have yet been confirmed.

The Santo Cristo de Burgos

The Historical Background

The Santo Cristo de Burgos was a Spanish Galleon carrying vast amounts of treasure from the colonies back to Spain. She set sail from Manila in late 1600s, making her way across the Pacific. This galleon, while primarily associated with trade routes, became infamous for her luxurious cargo of silver and precious artifacts.

Shipwreck and Loss

In 1665, the Santo Cristo de Burgos sank near the northern coast of the Philippines during a violent storm. The ship, believed to have been laden with treasures worth approximately 12 million pesos, became an enduring mystery for treasure seekers. According to historical reports, only a fraction of the treasure was recovered shortly after the wreck.

The Treasure Hunt

Expeditions have bombarded various locations rumored to be the final resting place of the Santo Cristo de Burgos’s treasures. Among the theories, some suggest that it lies within the depths of the surrounding seas, while others propose that locals unearthed some of the riches well before formal explorations commenced.

The Lost Treasure of the Florentine Codex

Background of the Codex

The Florentine Codex, compiled by the Franciscan Friar Bernardino de Sahagún in the mid-1500s, serves as a critical historical source about Aztec culture prior to and following the Spanish conquest. Enveloping detailed accounts of indigenous life, it is also said to have encrypted clues about treasure hidden by the Aztecs in fear of the Spanish looting their wealth.

Subterranean Treasures

Legends convey that before the Spanish conquest, the Aztecs was purportedly hiding their treasures in caverns or underground chambers across the valley of Mexico. Numerous fragments of the Codex suggest explicit locations where gold, silver, and artifacts were hidden, raising the hopes of treasure hunters for centuries.

The Ongoing Investigations

Various treasure hunts have sought to uncover Aztec wealth hidden as indicated within the Codex. Veracruz and Tenochtitlan have become central locations, with excavations using modern technology in the hopes of unveiling this long-lost treasure. The existence of the treasure remains a mystery, however, frustrating generations of seekers.

The Treasure of the U-boat 858

The U-boat’s Historical Background

U-858 was a German submarine sunk during World War II. In May 1945, near the shores of the U.S. East Coast, the submarine was captured and surrendered by German naval forces. Although the submarine faced destruction, rumors flourished about the valuables onboard, including gold bars and other military treasures.

Reported Hidden Loot

Following U-858’s surrender, tales abounded about German gold stored in secret compartments beneath the vessel’s deck. After its rediscovery, the fear persisted that a portion of its treasures might have been entirely concealed.

Treasure Hunters’ Pursuits

Since the submarine’s surrender, devoted treasure hunters have launched extensive underwater searches, attempting to locate any remnants thought to be hidden. Yet, the scarcity of credible evidence leaves the potential haul shrouded in mystery.

The Lost Treasure of the Aztec Empire

Historical Context

The Aztecs amassed tremendous wealth through conquest and trade, with treasures that astounded Spanish invaders during the early 16th century. The legendary treasure of Moctezuma II is especially notable—often cited as being vast in both quantity and value, including gold, silver, and jewels.

The Search After the Conquest

When Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztecs in 1521, it is said that the remnants of their treasure were hidden before the Spanish arrived to claim their riches. The treasure covered vast territories, with suggestions that large caches lay buried beneath modern-day Mexico City.

Modern Investigations

Countless expeditions have launched in potential areas around Mexico City, particularly near Templo Mayor. Many treasure hunters employ advanced tools and technology to probe ancient sites, yet conclusive findings remain elusive, shrouded in the depths of history.

The Orofino Gold

Background of the Orofino Incident

Orofino, Idaho, experienced a rush of gold fever in the late 1800s. In 1862, a local miner, believed to have unclaimed riches, lured friends into a hidden valley rumored to contain a treasure trove of gold dust and nuggets.

The Mysterious Disappearance

As the legend goes, the miner suddenly vanished, leaving no trace behind. Years later, through accounts of prospectors who followed his earlier clues, speculation arose that the lost wealth might still be hidden in the mountains surrounding Orofino, waiting to be discovered.

Search Efforts and Local Legends

Treasure seekers, miners, and adventurers have since flocked to the Orofino area, hoping to uncover a small fortune. Local legends continue to inspire many to search the forests and rivers of Northern Idaho with modern tools and intuition, yet no treasure has been documented as found.

The Cave of Treasure in Mexico

Historical Context

In the late 19th century, a legend arose in Guerrero, Mexico, about a hidden cave containing vast amounts of treasure, purportedly the spoils taken by bandits from numerous robbers and the central government. It became widely known as “La Cueva de Tesoro.”

Rumors of the Loot

According to locals, the treasure consists of gold coins, silver bars, and precious gemstones hidden deep within the mountain cave. Legends are filled with stories of disastrous treasure hunts, with adventurers never returning after attempting to find the elusive haul.

Recent Investigations

In recent years, various treasure hunters have attempted to uncover the rumored wealth, undertaking arduous expeditions into Guerrero’s rough terrain. Despite some rumored discoveries, documented evidence of treasure remains scant, keeping the legend alive and alluring for thrill-seekers and historians alike.