Grayson West
Not every treasure is locked in a museum. Some vanished in storms, others slipped through betrayals or battles. These 10 legendary caches of gold, artifacts, and mystery have resisted discovery for centuries. Their stories are bizarre and entirely true. Read on, and who knows, one of these might be waiting for you to discover it.
Flor De La Mar
The Flor de la Mar went down off the coast of Sumatra in 1511, carrying treasure plundered during the Portuguese conquest of Malacca, now estimated at over $2 billion. The ship had suffered hull damage before setting sail, and while many searches have failed, artifacts still surface along Indonesia’s shores.
Forrest Fenn’s Hidden Cache
Though reportedly found in 2020, Forrest Fenn hinted at other caches in interviews. The original chest held gold, rare coins, and artifacts worth over $1 million. A second chest may rest untouched, waiting for someone bold enough to solve the lingering puzzle.
Amber Room
The Amber Room, gifted to Russia in 1716, vanished during WWII after being looted by the Nazis. Adorned with six tons of amber and gemstones, it was never recovered. Though Russia rebuilt it decades later, some believe the original is still hidden in a flooded German mine.
Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine
Said to lie within Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, Jacob Waltz revealed the mine before he died in 1891. Searchers have lost their lives exploring the treacherous terrain, but no confirmed gold mine has been found. Some accounts even describe supernatural protection and a lingering curse.
Captain Kidd’s Buried Gold
Pirate William Kidd was executed in 1701, but much of his loot was never found. A small cache was discovered on Gardiner’s Island near New York, suggesting that more remains may be hidden. Kidd referenced the treasure in court, while forged maps and Oak Island legends add to the intrigue.
Kruger Millions
In 1900, President Paul Kruger attempted to move South Africa’s gold by train to evade advancing British forces, but the train mysteriously disappeared near Mozambique. Some believe it was secretly intercepted, while others point to scattered Boer-era coins as clues. The legend lives on as Africa’s own El Dorado.
Lost Treasure Of Lima
In 1820, Spanish officials entrusted British Captain William Thompson with valuables worth $60 million to protect them from rebel forces. Thompson betrayed them and vanished. The treasure was likely hidden on the island of Cocos. Despite expeditions by presidents and tycoons, neither Thompson nor the gold was ever found.
The Beale Ciphers
Three 19th-century coded messages allegedly reveal the location of treasure buried in Virginia, containing over $60 million in gold and jewels. Only one cipher has been partially solved. Some call it a hoax, yet hopeful seekers still decode it, driven by historical clues and obsession.
French Treasure of the Alamo
French soldiers reportedly hid millions in gold coins in the 1830s beneath the Alamo to support Texas independence. During the siege, it disappeared. The ground radar revealed underground anomalies. Preservation laws halted excavations, leaving unanswered questions and fueling connections to the ritualistic lore of Freemasonry.
The Nazi Gold Train
After Germany’s defeat, witnesses claimed a Nazi train loaded with stolen gold disappeared near Walbrzych, Poland. In 2015, radar scans revealed a train-like shape underground, sparking renewed interest. Despite the excitement, no train was ever uncovered—leaving the story hanging between legend and possibility.