Pirate Treasure Coins: How to Identify and Collect Them

Pirate Treasure: The Truth Behind the Myth

Have you ever dreamed of finding a buried pirate treasure chest full of gold, silver, and jewels? If so, you are not alone. Many people have been fascinated by the idea of pirate treasure since they were children, reading stories like Treasure Island or watching movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. But how much do you really know about pirate treasure? Is it a fact or a fiction? In this article, we will explore the history and reality of pirate treasure, and reveal some of the most famous and elusive pirate treasures in the world.

Introduction

What is pirate treasure?

Pirate treasure is a term that refers to any valuable goods or money that pirates obtained by raiding, robbing, or plundering other ships, towns, or settlements. Pirates were active from the 16th to the 18th centuries, mainly in the Caribbean, but also in other parts of the world, such as Africa, Asia, and Europe. They targeted merchant ships, slave ships, naval vessels, and sometimes even other pirates. They took anything that they could sell, use, or enjoy, such as food, drink, weapons, clothing, spices, sugar, tobacco, cocoa, cotton, wood, enslaved people, and of course, gold, silver, and jewels.

pirate treasure

Why is pirate treasure so popular in fiction and culture?

Pirate treasure has become a symbol of adventure, romance, and mystery in fiction and culture. Many writers and filmmakers have used pirate treasure as a plot device to create stories that appeal to people's imagination and curiosity. Some of the most famous examples are Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island (1883), which involves a hunt for a hidden cache of gold left by a pirate captain; J.M. Barrie's play Peter Pan (1904), which features a conflict between Peter Pan and Captain Hook over a buried treasure; and Walt Disney's film franchise Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2017), which depicts various quests for legendary pirate treasures.

How often did pirates actually bury their treasure?

The truth is that pirates rarely buried their treasure. Contrary to popular belief, pirates did not have secret maps or clues to lead them to their hidden loot. Most pirates preferred to spend their plunder as soon as they could, rather than save it for later. They often squandered their money on women, rum, gambling, and other pleasures in pirate-friendly ports or towns. Moreover, many of the goods that pirates stole were perishable or bulky, and would not last long or be easy to hide underground.

The myth of buried pirate treasure was largely influenced by two factors: one historical and one literary. The historical factor was the case of Captain William Kidd (1645-1701), a Scottish privateer who turned into a notorious pirate. Kidd buried some of his treasure on an island near New York before he was captured and executed by the British authorities. His treasure was later recovered by the governor of New York, but many people believed that he had more hidden somewhere else. Kidd's story inspired many legends and rumors about his lost treasure.

The literary factor was the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), a Scottish writer who was fascinated by pirates and adventure stories. Stevenson created a fictional pirate captain named Long John Silver who had a map to a buried treasure on an island. Stevenson's novel was a huge success and influenced many other writers and filmmakers who followed his example.

Famous pirate treasures

Captain William Captain William Kidd's treasure

The story of Kidd and his loot

Captain William Kidd was one of the most famous and controversial pirates of all time. He started his career as a privateer, a legal pirate who had a license from the British government to attack enemy ships. However, he soon became a wanted criminal after he attacked and looted several ships that were either friendly or neutral to Britain. One of his most notorious prizes was the Quedagh Merchant, a huge ship that belonged to an Indian merchant but was hired by the French. The Quedagh Merchant carried a fortune in gold, silver, jewels, silk, and other goods. Kidd captured the ship in 1698 and took most of its cargo.

The search for Kidd's treasure

Kidd knew that he was in trouble with the British authorities, so he decided to hide some of his treasure on an island near New York, hoping to use it as a bargaining chip for his pardon. He buried about 1,500 pounds of gold and silver in a chest and marked the spot with a large stone. He then sailed to Boston, where he was arrested and sent to London for trial. He was found guilty of piracy and murder and hanged in 1701.

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Kidd's treasure was later recovered by the governor of New York, who claimed it as his own. However, many people believed that Kidd had more treasure hidden elsewhere, and that he had left clues or maps to its location. For centuries, treasure hunters have searched for Kidd's treasure all over the world, from Madagascar to Nova Scotia, but none have found it. Some even think that Kidd's treasure is cursed, and that anyone who tries to find it will meet a tragic fate.

The Treasure of Lima

The origin of the treasure

The Treasure of Lima is one of the most mysterious and elusive pirate treasures in history. It is said to be worth over $200 million in today's money, and to contain gold, silver, jewels, religious artifacts, and other priceless items.

The treasure originated from the city of Lima, the capital of Peru and the seat of the Spanish colonial government in South America. In 1820, Peru was on the verge of a revolution against Spain, and the Spanish authorities feared that their wealth would fall into the hands of the rebels. They decided to ship their treasure to Mexico for safekeeping, and hired a British captain named William Thompson to transport it on his ship, the Mary Dear.

The disappearance of the treasure

However, Thompson had other plans. He and his crew were tempted by the immense value of the cargo, and decided to mutiny and take the treasure for themselves. They killed the Spanish guards on board and sailed away with the loot. They reached the island of Cocos, off the coast of Costa Rica, where they buried the treasure on a beach. They then split up and went their separate ways, hoping to return later and claim their share.

Unfortunately for them, they were soon captured by a Spanish warship that had been sent to pursue them. Most of them were executed, but Thompson and his first mate were spared on the condition that they reveal the location of the treasure. They agreed, but when they arrived at Cocos Island, they managed to escape into the jungle and never returned.

The attempts to recover the treasure

Since then, many people have tried to find the Treasure of Lima on Cocos Island, but none have succeeded. Some claim that they have seen signs or markers that indicate where the treasure is buried, but they have not been able to dig it up. Others claim that they have found maps or clues that lead to the treasure, but they have not been able to follow them. Some even claim that they have found part of the treasure, but it was stolen or lost before they could secure it.

Some of the most famous people who have searched for the Treasure of Lima include Franklin Roosevelt (the future president of the United States), Errol Flynn (the famous actor), Sir Malcolm Campbell (the world speed record holder), and August Gissler (a German adventurer who lived on Cocos Island for 19 years). However, none of them found anything substantial.

Today, Cocos Island is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals, and is considered one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on Earth. It is also protected by strict laws that prohibit any digging or exploration without permission from the Costa Rican government. Therefore, anyone who wants to search for the Treasure of Lima must obtain a special permit and follow strict regulations. However, this has not stopped some people from trying, and the legend of the Treasure of Lima lives on.

Other notable pirate treasures

Sir Francis Drake's treasure

Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) was an English explorer, navigator, and privateer who was famous for his exploits against the Span