New Jersey holds more secrets than many people realize. Our state’s rich history has led to countless buried treasures and valuable finds over the years. Some discoveries happen by accident, while others come after careful searching.
The Garden State’s unique location played a major role in early American history. Ships carrying valuable cargo traveled along our coastline. Revolutionary War battles left behind artifacts waiting to be uncovered.
From beach combing to metal detecting in parks, treasure hunting continues today. Everyday citizens with simple tools sometimes make the most amazing discoveries. What lies beneath New Jersey’s surface reminds us of our fascinating past.
Amazing Treasures That Have Been Found In New Jersey
These incredible treasure discoveries in New Jersey offer a glimpse into the state’s rich past. Once you’ve explored these remarkable finds, don’t forget to check out our list of 14 Greatest Hidden Treasures In New Jersey yet to be found!
Hadrosaurus Foulkii Dinosaur Skeleton – $8,000,000+
In 1858, William Parker Foulke, an amateur geologist, excavated a nearly complete dinosaur skeleton in Haddonfield. The bones had originally been discovered years earlier by a local farmer, John Estaugh Hopkins, but their importance went unrecognized.
Foulke’s excavation, along with Dr. Joseph Leidy, led to the identification of Hadrosaurus foulkii, the first mostly complete dinosaur skeleton found in North America. The skeleton was missing its skull, but the femur alone measured four feet, suggesting the dinosaur was at least 25 feet long.
This discovery revolutionized paleontology, providing the first evidence that some dinosaurs walked on two legs. Today, the original fossils are housed at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, with a replica displayed in Haddonfield. The site is now a National Historic Landmark.
How much the treasure would be worth today
While scientifically priceless, similar dinosaur fossils have sold for $1 million to $8 million at auctions.
“Money Island” Pirate Gold Coins – $60,000+
During the 1800s, treasure hunters discovered Spanish gold doubloons from the 1600s on a small island near Cliffwood Beach. The area was quickly nicknamed Money Island due to the findings.
Legends suggest the treasure may have been left by pirates, possibly Captain William Kidd, who was active in the region. Additional gold coins were later discovered in Duck Pond, also called Treasure Lake, adding to the mystery.
Despite extensive searches, no large hoard was ever uncovered, and Money Island has since disappeared due to erosion. The origin of the coins remains uncertain, though some believe they may have come from shipwrecks.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Spanish gold doubloons from the 1600s can be worth $4,000 to $60,000 each.
Secaucus Potter’s Field Artifacts – $300,000+
In 2002, during construction of the Secaucus Junction train station, workers unearthed an 1880s burial ground known as Potter’s Field. This site contained the remains of individuals from institutions such as the Hudson County Lunatic Asylum and a tuberculosis sanitarium.
Archaeologists exhumed hundreds of bodies and recovered over 113,000 artifacts, including glass eyes, clay pipes, coins, and military medals. The discovery provided a rare look into the lives of marginalized individuals in the late 19th century.
After analysis, the human remains were respectfully reburied in Hackensack, New Jersey. The artifacts offer valuable historical insight into the social and medical conditions of the time.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The entire collection of artifacts from Potter’s Field would likely be valued between $100,000 and $300,000.
Franklin–Ogdensburg Discoveries – $10,000,000+
The Franklin and Sterling Hill mines in Sussex County are world-famous for their unique minerals. These mines have produced over 350 different mineral species, including many that glow under ultraviolet light.
Notable fluorescent minerals include willemite (green glow), hardystonite (violet glow), and franklinite, which is New Jersey’s official state mineral. The area is called the “Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World.”
Today, collectors and geologists continue to visit the Franklin Mineral Museum and Sterling Hill Mining Museum to see these specimens. The discoveries from this region have significantly contributed to mineralogical research.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The total estimated market value of the finest collected fluorescent minerals from this region could be $5 million to $10 million, with rare specimens fetching premium prices.
Hopewell Township Meteorite – $20,000+
In May 2023, a 2.2-pound chondrite meteorite crashed through a house in Titusville, New Jersey. Scientists determined it was 4.56 billion years old, dating back to the formation of the solar system.
The meteorite created a hole in the roof and landed on the floor, still warm. Its pristine condition makes it an invaluable sample for scientific study. Such meteorites are incredibly rare, with only about 1,100 recorded cases worldwide.
This meteorite remains one of the most important recent space rock discoveries in the U.S. and has drawn attention from researchers and collectors alike.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Rare meteorites of this type can be valued between $5,000 and $20,000.
Mosasaur Marine Reptile Remains – $1,000,000+
In 1818, fossilized bones of a massive marine reptile were uncovered in Monmouth County and later identified as a mosasaur. This powerful predator ruled the prehistoric oceans during the Late Cretaceous period.
The discovery was the first mosasaur fossil found in North America, making it an important milestone in paleontology.
The bones were found in the Navesink Formation, a geological layer filled with marine fossils. Scientists realized that mosasaurs were not like any known animals at the time. Their size and anatomy suggested they were apex predators, capable of hunting large prey.
Mosasaurs are now recognized as distant relatives of modern monitor lizards and snakes. The New Jersey discovery helped shape future fossil research and provided early evidence that giant marine reptiles once thrived along the East Coast.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A complete mosasaur skeleton from Monmouth County could be valued at $500,000 to $1 million.
Miss Matilda Mastodon – $500,000+
A pond-dredging project in Sussex County led to an astonishing prehistoric discovery in 1954. Large bones, initially mistaken for tree roots, turned out to be the nearly complete skeleton of a mastodon, an extinct Ice Age relative of the elephant.
The skeleton was nicknamed Miss Matilda, and news of the discovery quickly spread.
Thousands of people visited farmer Gus Ohberg’s barn to see the ancient remains. Scientists confirmed that Miss Matilda belonged to Mammut americanum, a species that once thrived in New Jersey’s ancient forests. The preservation of the skeleton made it a valuable scientific find.
Mastodons disappeared about 10,000 years ago, leaving behind fossils that help scientists understand prehistoric life. The location of Miss Matilda’s discovery is now marked by a historical plaque, honoring one of New Jersey’s most significant Ice Age finds.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A near-complete mastodon skeleton like Miss Matilda could be valued at $200,000 to $500,000.
Red Bank Battlefield Cannon – $500,000+
In 2015, archaeologists at Red Bank Battlefield Park in Gloucester County uncovered the remains of an American cannon from the Revolutionary War.
Historical records describe how the cannon exploded during the 1777 Battle of Fort Mercer, killing 12 patriot soldiers. The unearthed fragments matched these accounts, confirming the cannon’s tragic history.
Weapons of this period were often unreliable, and overloading with gunpowder could lead to deadly accidents. The explosion of this cannon would have caused chaos on the battlefield, adding to the challenges faced by the Continental Army.
Today, the cannon fragment is displayed at Red Bank Battlefield Park, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If auctioned, a Revolutionary War-era cannon with battlefield provenance could be valued between $250,000 and $500,000 today.
Mannington Mastodon Skeleton – $500,000+
In 1869, workers digging for marl in Mannington, Salem County, uncovered the remains of a nearly complete mastodon, an extinct species that once roamed North America. The discovery, later known as the Mannington Mastodon, became a major attraction.
Curious visitors paid 10 cents to see the massive fossil, which was displayed in a tent exhibit. At a time when dinosaurs and Ice Age creatures were still largely unknown to the public, the skeleton provided a rare opportunity to glimpse into prehistoric life.
Eventually, the Mannington Mastodon was donated to Rutgers University’s Geology Museum, where it remains the only full mastodon skeleton on display in New Jersey. The exhibit continues to educate visitors about the Ice Age and the enormous creatures that once roamed the region.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A complete mastodon skeleton like the Mannington Mastodon could be valued at $200,000 to $500,000.
Strathmere Beach Treasure – $3,000,000+
Beachgoers in Strathmere were surprised when old Spanish silver and gold coins began appearing on the shore. The discoveries followed a sand dredging project that relocated material from Corson’s Inlet to Strathmere Beach.
Historians traced the coins back to the wreck of the Fame, an American privateer ship lost in 1781.
The Fame had been carrying a cargo of captured loot when it was caught in a storm and sank off the coast. The wreck had remained buried for over two centuries until the dredging operation disturbed it, allowing coins and artifacts to wash ashore.
Some of the coins were Spanish reales from the early 1700s, while others were rare gold pieces.
Treasure hunters and historians consider the Fame one of New Jersey’s most intriguing shipwrecks. The sudden appearance of coins provided a rare glimpse into colonial piracy and privateering, adding an exciting piece to the state’s maritime history.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The total value of the Strathmere Beach treasure is estimated at $1 million to $3 million, depending on the number of coins found.
Paleo-Indian Clovis Projectile Point – $20,000+
A Clovis projectile point was found in 2014 off the coast of Long Beach Island. A ten-year-old boy discovered the artifact while playing in the surf, not realizing it was a significant piece of history. Experts later identified it as a fluted spear point used by Paleo-Indian hunters around 10,000 to 13,000 years ago.
Clovis points were essential tools for early Native American groups. Their unique shape made them highly effective for hunting large Ice Age animals. The discovery of such an ancient artifact in New Jersey is rare, offering insight into prehistoric human migration and activity in the region.
Hurricane Sandy, which hit the area in 2012, likely shifted the sands and unearthed the spear point from its resting place. The artifact was later donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it remains part of a collection that helps scientists study early North American inhabitants.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A well-preserved Clovis point can be worth between $2,000 and $20,000.
Princeton Battlefield Revolutionary War Relics – $150,000+
Recently, an archaeological survey at Princeton Battlefield State Park uncovered hundreds of artifacts from the 1777 Battle of Princeton. The state-funded project aimed to expand historical knowledge of the battlefield while preparing for the upcoming U.S. semiquincentennial in 2026.
Musket balls, grapeshot, and uniform buttons were among the most notable finds. These objects provide evidence of the intense fighting between American and British troops during the battle.
The placement of musket balls and other ammunition helped researchers understand troop movements and key skirmishes. Each item contributes to a clearer picture of how the battle unfolded.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The entire collection of artifacts from the Battle of Princeton is estimated to be worth $50,000 to $150,000.
Sea Girt Doubloons – $15,000+
Spanish gold doubloons have occasionally washed ashore in Sea Girt following coastal storms. Treasure hunters and historians believe these coins came from a long-submerged shipwreck buried beneath 20 to 30 feet of sand offshore.
Doubloons from the 17th and 18th centuries were widely used in trade throughout Spain’s colonies. Their appearance along the New Jersey coastline suggests a possible connection to maritime trade routes or pirate activity.
The coins’ condition indicates they spent centuries beneath the waves before shifting sands revealed them.
Locals and divers continue to keep watch after heavy storms, hoping for another rare coin to surface. Every few years, another beachcomber reports finding a gold coin, keeping the legend of the Sea Girt shipwreck alive.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Individual Spanish gold doubloons can be worth $4,000 to $15,000. The total value of all reported finds could be several hundred thousand dollars.
Wildwood Buried Cash Stash – $40,000+
During home renovations in 2022, a Wildwood resident unearthed two small burlap-wrapped bundles buried in his yard. Inside were stacks of $10 and $20 U.S. banknotes from 1934, totaling about $2,000. Research traced the money back to a former homeowner who had buried the cash during the Great Depression.
Many people distrusted banks in the 1930s, leading some to hide their savings underground. This hidden stash remained forgotten for decades until construction work exposed it. The homeowner was shocked to find the old bills, which were still in decent condition despite being underground for so long.
While $2,000 was a significant sum in 1934, inflation has increased its value dramatically. The discovery highlighted the financial hardships of the Great Depression and how families took extreme measures to protect their savings.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The $2,000 in 1934 banknotes would be worth approximately $40,000 today.
Colonial Halfpenny Hoard – $30,000+
A group of treasure hunters using metal detectors in 2021 uncovered over 200 colonial British halfpence in a central New Jersey farm field. The coins, dating back to the 1740s, were buried in clumps as deep as three feet underground. Many were heavily corroded, but some retained visible details of their original designs.
British halfpennies were a common form of currency in colonial America. These coins were used for everyday transactions, making them an essential part of commerce in the 18th century.
Finding such a large hoard suggests that someone may have buried their savings but never returned to retrieve it.
Despite the coins’ rough condition, they still provide valuable historical insight. Researchers believe they were likely buried in the mid-18th century, possibly during a time of economic uncertainty.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The entire hoard is estimated to be worth between $10,000 and $30,000.
You know the next big discovery could be yours! So, explore our list of 14 Hidden Treasures in New Jersey that are still waiting for an adventurous soul to claim them.
