Virginia is full of history, and some of it might just be buried beneath our feet. From pirate gold to Civil War caches, there are stories of hidden treasures all over the state.
Hunting for lost treasures is an adventure that connects us to the past and lets us explore the beauty of our home state. It’s the thrill of “what if” that makes every step exciting.
With so much history packed into Virginia, who knows what secrets are still waiting to be uncovered? So grab your map, maybe even a metal detector, and let’s dive into some of Virginia’s greatest treasure legends.
The Incredible Treasures Of Virginia That Are Waiting To Be Discovered
The allure of these extraordinary treasures is matched only by their mystery:
Mosby’s Confederacy Gold – $10,000,000+
During the Civil War, Confederate Colonel John Mosby hid a large amount of gold to protect it from Union forces. This treasure was hidden in the woods around Culpeper, Virginia, as Mosby led raids against Union soldiers in the area.
Mosby’s men, known as the “Gray Ghosts,” were highly mobile and often acted as guerrilla fighters. In one of his raids, he seized $350,000 in gold and silver, which was intended to fund the Confederate war effort.
The treasure is thought to be hidden somewhere near Culpeper, but no one knows the exact location. Many believe Mosby buried it in a cave or under the roots of a large tree.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If Mosby’s gold were recovered, it would be worth around $10 million.
The Lost Treasure of Swift’s Silver Mines – $30,000,000+
The Lost Treasure of Swift’s Silver Mines dates back to the 1700s, when an explorer named John Swift claimed to have found rich silver mines in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
Swift was an early settler in the region and spent years searching for silver in the rugged hills. He reportedly discovered large amounts of silver and buried some of it, along with mining tools and treasure, before disappearing.
His treasure is said to be hidden somewhere near the current town of Big Stone Gap. Some people think Swift left behind a map, but it was lost or destroyed.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If Swift’s silver treasure were found, it could be worth as much as $30 million.
The Lost Confederate Treasury – $50,000,000+
The Lost Confederate Treasury refers to a large amount of gold, silver, and paper money that was hidden during the final days of the Civil War. As Union forces closed in on the Confederate capital of Richmond, President Jefferson Davis ordered the treasure to be moved.
Jefferson Davis, along with several high-ranking Confederate officers, played a key role in hiding the treasure. Some reports claim that the treasure was buried by Confederate soldiers in various locations along the Appomattox River, near the town of Danville.
The treasure was hidden in 1865, shortly before the Confederacy’s collapse. As the Confederate government fled Richmond, they took whatever valuables they could, fearing they would be captured by Union forces.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Lost Confederate Treasury is estimated to be worth over $50 million.
The Berkeley Plantation Gold – $15,000,000+
The Berkeley Plantation Gold is a stash of valuables hidden during Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. As tensions rose between the colonists and the British government, local residents buried their most prized possessions to protect them.
Among the items hidden were gold coins, jewelry, and other valuables belonging to wealthy plantation families.
The treasure is thought to have been buried by one of the Berkeley Plantation’s owners, probably during the height of the rebellion. The plantation itself, located along the James River, was an important site during the rebellion.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Berkeley Plantation Gold could be worth approximately $15 million.
The Lost Bullion of Botetourt County – $25,000,000+
The Lost Bullion of Botetourt County was a large quantity of gold and silver that was hidden during the American Revolution. In 1781, as British forces moved through Virginia, local patriots feared for their treasures and decided to bury them.
The bullion, which may have included coins, bars, and other valuable items, was hidden in the remote hills of Botetourt County to protect it from being seized.
It is believed that a group of local patriots, possibly including a man named Major Andrew Lewis, buried the treasure. Lewis was a prominent figure in the area and may have hidden the bullion to keep it out of the hands of British soldiers.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Lost Bullion of Botetourt County could be worth around $25 million.
The Smith Mountain Lake Gold – $30,000,000+
The Smith Mountain Lake Gold is a hidden treasure that dates back to the American Civil War. The contents include gold coins, jewelry, and other valuable items that were buried by Confederate soldiers.
It is said to have been buried by Confederate officers under the direction of a man named General John C. Breckinridge. Breckinridge, a former vice president and Confederate general, is thought to have hidden the gold in a secret location around what is now Smith Mountain Lake.
The gold was hidden during the Civil War, sometime in the early 1860s, as Confederate forces sought to protect their valuables. As Union soldiers continued to advance, the Confederate officers feared that the gold would be lost.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Smith Mountain Lake Gold could be worth around $30 million.
The Lost Gold of Thomas Jefferson’s Father – $10,000,000+
The Lost Gold of Thomas Jefferson’s Father was a large stash of gold hidden by Peter Jefferson, the father of the future president. In the early 1700s, Peter Jefferson was a wealthy landowner and surveyor in Virginia.
After amassing a fortune in gold coins, it is said that he buried the treasure somewhere on his property to protect it from thieves and political unrest.
Jefferson is thought to have hidden the treasure in the area around present-day Albemarle County. The treasure was buried sometime in the 1730s or 1740s, long before Thomas Jefferson rose to political prominence.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Lost Gold of Thomas Jefferson’s Father were found, it could be worth around $10 million.
The Fredericksburg Silver Cache – $5,000,000+
The Fredericksburg Silver Cache is a hidden stash of silver that dates back to the Civil War. In 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg, Confederate soldiers were ordered to bury their valuables to keep them out of Union hands.
Among the buried items were silver coins, jewelry, and silverware, hidden to prevent them from being looted.
Apparently, the treasure was buried by local residents, possibly with the help of Confederate officers. The silver is thought to have been buried in the area surrounding Fredericksburg, especially near the town’s historic landmarks.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Fredericksburg Silver Cache could be worth around $5 million.
The Lost Ironclad Gold – $40,000,000+
The Lost Ironclad Gold is a legendary treasure that dates back to the Civil War. In 1861, during the early stages of the war, Confederate forces hid a large quantity of gold to prevent Union forces from seizing it.
The gold was reportedly being transported by the Confederate Navy aboard an ironclad ship, but the ship was damaged and sunk in the waters of the James River.
It is thought that the treasure was buried by Confederate soldiers who were trying to protect it from Union capture. The ship, which may have been the CSS Virginia, was eventually sunk during the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Lost Ironclad Gold were found, it could be worth around $40 million.
The Shenandoah Valley Gold – $25,000,000+
The Shenandoah Valley Gold is a large stash of gold that was hidden during the Civil War. In 1864, Confederate forces were said to have buried a significant amount of gold in the valley to keep it out of Union hands.
It was intended to fund the Confederate army, but the gold was hidden as Union forces closed in on the region. The stash was said to be buried somewhere in the Shenandoah Valley, though the exact location remains unknown.
The gold was hidden in 1864, at a time when the Confederate army was struggling to maintain its resources. The search for the Shenandoah Valley Gold continues to this day.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Shenandoah Valley Gold is estimated to be worth around $25 million.
The Chesapeake Bay Pirate Gold – $12,000,000+
The Chesapeake Bay Pirate Gold was treasure hidden by pirates in the early 1700s. The treasure is thought to consist of gold coins, jewelry, and other valuables that were looted during pirate raids.
The most famous pirate associated with this treasure is Captain Kidd, although other pirates may have been involved as well.
According to local legends, the treasure was hidden along the shores of Chesapeake Bay, likely on one of its many islands. It was hidden in the early 1700s when pirates were notorious in the area for attacking ships along the coast.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Chesapeake Bay Pirate Gold could be worth approximately $12 million.
The Leesburg Plantation Gold – $10,000,000+
The Leesburg Plantation Gold is a rumored treasure hidden during the Civil War. It was buried by Southern sympathizers in the area to protect it from Union troops.
The gold is thought to have been buried on or near the Leesburg Plantation in Loudoun County, Virginia. It was hidden sometime around 1861, when Union forces were advancing through Virginia.
Some local legends suggest that a Confederate officer named General J.E.B. Stuart may have been involved in hiding the gold. However, there is little concrete evidence to confirm this claim.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Leesburg Plantation Gold were discovered, it could be worth approximately $10 million.
The Dismal Swamp Pirate Hoard – $10,000,000+
The Dismal Swamp Pirate Hoard is a famous treasure hidden by pirates in the early 1700s. It is thought to contain gold, silver, and other valuable items. It is said to have been buried in the swampy, dense terrain of the Dismal Swamp, located along the Virginia-North Carolina border.
The pirate who owned the treasure is thought to be either Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, or another pirate from that era.
Legends say that pirates buried their loot to keep it safe, and some treasure hunters have spent years searching for it.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Dismal Swamp Pirate Hoard is estimated to be worth around $10 million.
The Blue Ridge Bandit Cache – $1,500,000+
The Blue Ridge Bandit Cache is a hidden treasure that was buried by a notorious gang of outlaws in the late 1800s. The gang was known for robbing stagecoaches and travelers in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
They accumulated large amounts of gold, silver, and cash from their heists and hid it to avoid capture. Some stories suggest that the treasure was hidden by a leader of the gang, who was either killed or captured before revealing its location.
The exact identity of the bandits and the precise location of the treasure remain a mystery.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Blue Ridge Bandit Cache would likely be worth around $1.5 million.
The Dan River Plantation Cache – $3,000,000+
The Dan River Plantation Cache is a well-known hidden treasure from the Civil War era. The treasure consists of Confederate gold, silver, and valuable documents. It is said to have been hidden by plantation owners who wanted to protect their wealth from Union forces.
It was supposedly buried on the Dan River Plantation by the plantation’s owner, a man named Robert E. Lee’s relative. As Union troops advanced through Virginia, plantation owners began hiding valuables to keep them safe. After the war ended, the treasure was never recovered.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Dan River Plantation Cache could be worth up to $3 million.
The Lost Richmond Coins – $5,000,000+
The Lost Richmond Coins are a famous treasure hidden in Virginia during the Civil War. The story begins with Confederate soldiers who were trying to protect valuable coins from Union forces.
These coins, thought to be gold and silver, were hidden in the Richmond area to prevent them from being seized.
General Robert E. Lee or one of his officers hid the treasure in the final days of the Confederate government. With Union troops closing in on Richmond in 1865, the soldiers needed to move the treasure quickly.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Lost Richmond Coins could be worth around $5 million.
