Did you know Massachusetts is home to tales of buried riches and hidden treasures? From sunken pirate ships off the coast to rumors of gold buried deep in the woods, our state is filled with stories that can spark the imagination.
And the best part? These legends might even hold real fortunes waiting to be found. The idea of stumbling upon something worth millions is part of what makes treasure hunting so exciting.
Massachusetts has plenty of spots where treasure seekers can explore. It’s possible that you might even uncover more than just a piece of history—you could make a life-changing discovery.
The Incredible Treasures Of Massachusetts That Are Waiting To Be Discovered
Head into uncharted territory with these extraordinary treasures yet to be found:
The Pirate Black Bellamy’s Treasure – $30,000,000+
Black Bellamy is a notorious pirate from the early 1700s, and he is said to have buried a treasure somewhere along the coast of Massachusetts.
He was known for raiding ships and hoarding vast amounts of gold, silver, and jewels. Bellamy’s ship, the Whydah Gally, sank off Cape Cod in 1717, but he apparently buried a portion of his treasure before the wreck.
Local legends suggest that the treasure was stashed in a secret spot on one of the many islands or coves along Cape Cod.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Black Bellamy’s treasure is believed to be worth around $30 million.
The Lost French Gold of 1755 – $20,000,000+
The Lost French Gold of 1755 is one of Massachusetts’ most intriguing treasure legends. It is said that during the French and Indian War, French forces buried a large cache of gold to keep it from falling into British hands.
It was reportedly hidden near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border in 1755, possibly in the wilderness around the Berkshires.
The treasure contained gold coins, ingots, and other valuable items brought over by French troops. Some accounts suggest it may have been hidden by French officers traveling through the region.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If recovered, the Lost French Gold of 1755 could be worth over $20 million.
The Berkshire Gold Mine Stash – $5,000,000+
The Berkshire Gold Mine Stash is a legendary hidden treasure tied to gold mining operations in western Massachusetts. In the early 1800s, small-scale gold mining was attempted in the Berkshire Hills, and miners stashed their finds to protect them from theft.
Stories claim that a miner or group of miners buried gold near their camp and never returned to recover it.
While no specific names are tied to the stash, the miners were likely prospectors hoping to strike it rich during a period of heightened interest in gold discovery.
The stash was reportedly buried around the 1830s, when gold mining activity in the region began to fade.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Berkshire Gold Mine Stash could be worth an estimated $5 million.
Captain Quelch’s Buried Treasure – $15,000,000+
Captain John Quelch was a notorious pirate who operated along the New England coast in the early 1700s. He supposedly buried a stash of gold and silver near the Massachusetts coastline before he was captured.
Quelch gained infamy after plundering Portuguese ships off the coast of South America, amassing a fortune in gold and jewels. Local lore suggests he buried his loot in a secret spot near Gloucester or Marblehead before his arrest in 1704. Quelch was later tried and executed in Boston, but he never revealed the location of his hidden fortune.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Captain Quelch’s buried treasure could be worth approximately $15 million.
The Lost Revolutionary War Payroll – $7,000,000+
The Lost Revolutionary War Payroll is one of Massachusetts’ most fascinating historical mysteries. During the American Revolution, a payroll meant to pay Continental Army soldiers reportedly went missing while being transported through the state.
The funds were hidden by the courier to protect them from British forces or highwaymen. It is said to include a significant sum of silver coins and currency meant for the soldiers.
This event likely occurred during the height of the Revolutionary War in the late 1770s, when Massachusetts was a hub of military activity. The courier’s identity is unknown, but their decision to hide the funds shows how dangerous it was to transport money during wartime.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If found, the Lost Revolutionary War Payroll could be worth over $7 million.
Shays’ Rebellion Hidden Loot – $4,000,000+
Shays’ Rebellion Hidden Loot is tied to a historic uprising in Massachusetts in the late 1780s. Daniel Shays, a farmer and former Revolutionary War captain, led a group of rebels protesting heavy taxes and debt.
During the rebellion, rumors spread that Shays and his followers seized valuables and hid them before their defeat by state militia forces. It was said to include gold and silver coins, as well as other valuables taken from loyalist estates or government supplies.
Some believe the loot was hidden in the western Massachusetts countryside, near the areas where the rebels were active, such as in the Berkshires or near Petersham. Shays fled to Vermont after the rebellion was crushed, leaving behind any hidden riches.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Shays’ Rebellion Hidden Loot could be worth approximately $4 million.
Salem Shipwreck Silver – $10,000,000+
The Salem Shipwreck Silver is tied to a shipwreck that occurred off the coast of Massachusetts in the early 1800s. The Hannah, a merchant ship from Salem, was carrying a valuable cargo of silver when it sank in a storm near Cape Ann.
The shipwreck was discovered in the 1980s, but it’s said that much of the silver was lost before it could be recovered. The ship sank in 1803, and the silver was thought to be lost soon after.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If fully recovered, Salem Shipwreck Silver could be worth an estimated $10 million.
King Philip’s War Hidden Cache – $3,000,000+
King Philip’s War Hidden Cache is a stash of valuable items buried during one of the deadliest conflicts between Native American tribes and colonial settlers in Massachusetts.
During the war, the Wampanoag leader, King Philip, led attacks against the English settlers in 1675 and 1676. As his forces retreated, he and his allies buried a large cache of weapons, tools, and possibly gold to prevent them from being seized.
The hidden items may include weapons, silver coins, and other important supplies that were important for the survival of the Native Americans and their allies. The treasure is thought to be buried in the woods of central Massachusetts, specifically around the town of Dartmouth or in nearby forested areas.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If found, the King Philip’s War Hidden Cache could be worth around $3 million.
Oak Bluffs Pirate Gold – $5,000,000+
Oak Bluffs Pirate Gold is a treasure rumored to be buried on Martha’s Vineyard, specifically in Oak Bluffs. The infamous pirate, Captain Thomas Tew, buried his loot there after a series of successful raids in the late 1600s.
The treasure is thought to be hidden in the woods near Oak Bluffs, with many treasure hunters attempting to locate it over the years. The gold is buried beneath the sand dunes or in caves along the shoreline, as some would say.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If found, Oak Bluffs Pirate Gold could be worth around $5 million.
Quabbin Reservoir Sunken Valuables – $3,000,000+
The Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts is home to a hidden treasure of sunken valuables. Before the reservoir was created in the 1930s, several towns were flooded to provide water for Boston.
People living in the area may have buried valuable items, such as gold, silver, and other precious goods, to keep them safe from being submerged.
The treasure is thought to be hidden beneath the water of the reservoir, likely in the areas where the towns once stood. The hidden valuables date back to the time of the flooding in the early 1930s, when the land was submerged to create the reservoir.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Quabbin Reservoir Sunken Valuables could be worth around $3 million.
The Deerfield Raid Hidden Silver – $2,000,000+
During the Deerfield Raid of 1704, a group of French and Native American forces attacked the town of Deerfield, Massachusetts. The townspeople, in a desperate attempt to protect their valuables, buried a large amount of silver and other treasures to keep them from falling into enemy hands.
The raid was brutal, and many of the townspeople were either killed or captured, leaving the silver hidden and forgotten over time.
The treasure is thought to have been hidden around the time of the Deerfield Raid in 1704, during the French and Indian War. Historical records suggest that the raid was part of a broader conflict between the French and British in North America, with both sides seeking to gain control of important territories.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Deerfield Raid Hidden Silver could be worth around $2 million.
Captain Veale’s Lost Treasure – $4,000,000+
Captain Thomas Veale was a pirate in the 1600s who sailed up the Saugus River with his crew. People saw them carrying a chest and buying digging tools, but they vanished soon after.
The authorities captured three of Veale’s men, but Veale escaped and hid in a cave near Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1658, an earthquake caused the cave to collapse, trapping Veale and, according to legend, his buried treasure.
Many treasure hunters, including Hiram Marble and his son, searched for it, but no one had ever found the lost gold.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Captain Veale’s treasure could be worth as much as $4 million today.
The Shipwreck of The Sparrow-Hawk – $5,000,000+
The Sparrow-Hawk was a British merchant ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod in 1626. The ship was reportedly carrying a valuable cargo of silver, gold, and other precious items when it ran aground in a storm.
The treasure, which included coins, silver bars, and possibly jewelry, was hidden beneath the waters near the wreck site. The wreck is thought to be located off the shore of Wellfleet, Cape Cod.
In 1863, a powerful storm uncovered the wreck, allowing people to study its remains. However, the treasure it carried with it remains lost.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The treasure of the Sparrow-Hawk could be worth an estimated $5 million.
The Great Fire of Boston Lost Valuables – $10,000,000+
The Great Fire of Boston in 1872 destroyed much of the city, including businesses, banks, and private homes. During the chaos, residents and shopkeepers hid their valuables to protect them from looters.
Many of these items were lost in the rubble and debris as the fire consumed entire buildings.
Some people may have buried their treasures in cellars or hidden them within walls, hoping to retrieve them later. However, the fire’s devastation and subsequent rebuilding efforts made it impossible for many to recover what they had hidden.
The treasure is believed to be scattered across the areas affected by the fire, particularly in Boston’s financial district.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The lost valuables from the Great Fire of Boston could be worth an estimated $10 million.
