Throughout history, numerous treasures have been discovered, each with a fascinating tale. These valuable finds, from shipwrecks deep beneath the sea to treasures buried underground, have always captured people’s imaginations: Here are some of the most valuable.
Colombia’s San José Galleon
Often referred to as the “Holy Grail” of shipwrecks, the San José was a Spanish galleon that sank in 1708 near Colombia while traveling from Peru to Spain. It was loaded with gold, silver, and emeralds. Nearing Cartagena, the ship encountered British forces, and a fierce battle ensued. The San José exploded and sank, taking an estimated $20 billion worth of treasure with it.
In 2015, an underwater robot discovered the shipwreck about 2,000 feet deep. The Colombian government now plans to recover artifacts from the wreckage.
Black Swan
In 2007, the Florida-based company Odyssey Marine Exploration made a significant discovery in the Atlantic Ocean: the remains of the Spanish ship Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. This ship, which sank in 1804 near Portugal, carried approximately 17 tons of gold and silver coins valued at $500 million. The discovery, dubbed the “Black Swan Project,” ignited a legal battle with the Spanish government, which claimed ownership of the treasure.
Środa Treasure
The Środa Treasure was uncovered during renovations in the 1980s in Środa Śląska, Poland. Dating back to the mid-14th century, the medieval treasure consists of over 3,000 items, including gold and silver coins, jewelry, royal relics, and precious stones. Valued at around $120 million, the treasure was uncovered in two phases: first in 1985 and then in 1988. Although some items were looted, many were recovered and are now housed in the National Museum in Wrocław and the Regional Museum in Środa Śląska.
The Fatimid Gold Dinars
In 2015, scuba diver Zvika Fayer made an unexpected discovery off the coast of Caesarea, Israel. He found a hoard of medieval gold coins dating to the Fatimid caliphate (909–1171 AD). Initially mistaking the coins for toys, Fayer had stumbled upon nearly 2,000 gold dinars. The Israel Antiquities Authority later uncovered another 1,000 coins, making it the largest known gold hoard found in Israel.
King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
The 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter was a groundbreaking moment in archaeology. Hidden for over 3,000 years, the tomb contained the young pharaoh’s mummified body along with hundreds of priceless artifacts. This find offered an unprecedented glimpse into ancient Egyptian life and reignited worldwide interest in Egyptian history and art.