The soil and waters of North Carolina hide amazing treasures waiting to be found. Explorers and everyday people have uncovered valuable items throughout the state’s history. From the mountains to the coast, these discoveries tell stories of the past.
Some people find these treasures by accident while others spend years searching. Gold nuggets, historic artifacts, and shipwreck remains are just some of the valuable finds. These discoveries connect us to the rich history of the region.
The thrill of finding something valuable keeps treasure hunters coming back. Each new find adds to the growing list of North Carolina’s hidden wealth.
Amazing Treasures That Have Been Found In North Carolina
Here’s a look at some of the most astonishing treasures ever uncovered in North Carolina. And if these finds spark your curiosity, don’t miss our list of 21 Hidden Treasures in North Carolina that could still be waiting to be discovered!
Peter’s 28-Pound Gold Nugget – $600,000+
Peter, an enslaved man working at Reed Gold Mine, made a discovery that changed history. He found a massive gold nugget weighing 28 pounds, the largest ever found east of the Mississippi River. This remarkable piece of gold would later help fuel interest in mining throughout the region.
Miners and prospectors were stunned by the sheer size of Peter’s discovery. Gold was already valuable, but a single nugget of this weight was nearly unheard of. The finding encouraged more people to search for gold in North Carolina, leading to an early American gold rush.
Weighing approximately 336 ounces, this nugget is worth an enormous amount of money today. The price of gold has increased over time, making treasures like this even more valuable. A discovery of similar size today could change someone’s life overnight.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The 28-pound gold nugget would be valued at around $550,000 to $600,000 today.
Carolina Emperor Emerald – $1,000,000+
A farm in Hiddenite, North Carolina, became the site of an astonishing discovery in 2009. A beautiful green gemstone, later named the Carolina Emperor, was uncovered from the earth. This emerald weighed an incredible 64.83 carats once it was cut and polished.
Jewelry experts and collectors were amazed by its quality and size. The gemstone’s deep green color made it highly desirable among collectors. Similar emeralds have been valued in the high six and seven figures, making this one a true prize.
Large gemstones like this are rare, especially in North America. The discovery of the Carolina Emperor proved that valuable treasures can still be found in unexpected places. Many people dream of finding such a gem, but few are ever this lucky.
How much the treasure would be worth today
This 64.83-carat emerald is estimated to be worth around $1,000,000.
Queen Anne’s Revenge Shipwreck Artifacts – $10,000,000+
Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, sank off the coast of North Carolina in 1718. Centuries later, in 1996, the wreck was discovered, revealing an incredible collection of artifacts. Over 300,000 items have been recovered, giving historians a glimpse into the life of a pirate.
Cannonballs, gold dust, beads, and tools were among the discoveries. Each piece tells a story of life aboard the feared pirate ship. Some of the artifacts, like gold grains, have been individually valued at thousands of dollars.
Pirates were known for stealing treasure, but many of their riches have been lost to time. Finding the Queen Anne’s Revenge changed what historians knew about Blackbeard. The items recovered provide a look at one of history’s most infamous figures.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The individual items like gold grains, beads, and weapons could be worth between $5 million and $10 million.
Conrad Reed’s 17-Pound Gold Nugget – $100,000+
Conrad Reed, a 12-year-old boy, made history when he found a 17-pound gold nugget. He discovered it in Little Meadow Creek while playing near his home. At the time, his family had no idea how valuable the rock truly was.
His father used it as a doorstop for three years before realizing it was gold. Eventually, a jeweler purchased it for only $3.50, much less than its true value. This incredible discovery sparked America’s first gold rush, drawing fortune seekers from all over.
Gold has always been valuable, but its worth has increased dramatically over time. If the Reed family had known its true value, they could have been rich beyond imagination.
How much the treasure would be worth today
This 17-pound nugget would be worth approximately $100,000 today based on the current value of gold.
NC Stolen Bill of Rights – $30,000,000+
One of the original 14 copies of the U.S. Bill of Rights was taken from North Carolina at the end of the Civil War. Union soldiers likely stole it in 1865 and it remained missing for over a century. Many people searched for it, but it was not seen in public for years.
A group attempted to sell the document in 2003. Federal agents set up a sting operation and recovered it. Legal battles followed over who owned the paper, but in the end, it was returned to the state.
Historians consider it one of the most valuable American documents. Its survival after being lost for so long makes it a rare piece of history. Today, it is carefully preserved to prevent further damage.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Experts have estimated this historic document’s value to be between $20 million and $30 million.
Appalachian Star Ruby – $90,000,000+
A ruby unlike any other was found in the Appalachian Mountains in 1990. This massive 139.43-carat gemstone showed a clear star when light hit its surface. The deep red color and perfect star made it one of the finest rubies ever discovered in North America.
People around the world became interested in the gem. It was exhibited in London, where experts admired its beauty. The stone became part of a private collection alongside other rare rubies.
Few rubies of this quality exist. The sharpness of its star pattern makes it even more unique. Because of its size and clarity, the Appalachian Star Ruby remains one of North Carolina’s most valuable gems.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Its value is part of a collection estimated to be worth over $90 million.
NAEM Emerald Crystal – $1,000,000+
Miners in North Carolina uncovered a massive emerald in 2003. This bright green crystal weighed an astonishing 1,869 carats. It was the largest emerald ever found in North America.
Experts were amazed by its size and color. The gem was later appraised for over $1 million. It was eventually acquired by a museum, where it remains on display.
Hiddenite is known for its emeralds. This discovery helped prove that the area had some of the finest gemstones in the world. Many treasure hunters still search there today.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The massive crystal was valued at about $1 million when it was appraised.
S.S. Pulaski Coin Hoard – $1,000,000+
A tragic shipwreck led to an incredible discovery. The S.S. Pulaski sank off the coast of North Carolina in 1838, taking passengers and cargo down with it. In 2018, divers searching the wreck found a small but valuable hoard of gold and silver coins.
Buried in the sand, the coins sat untouched for nearly two centuries. Among them was a rare British gold coin worth around $100,000. Several U.S. gold coins were also recovered, each valued between $10,000 and $12,000.
Collectors are fascinated by shipwreck coins. Because they remain hidden for so long, they are often in excellent condition. The Pulaski hoard is one of the most exciting finds from an American shipwreck.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The known recovered coins, including rare gold pieces, are estimated to be worth around $500,000 to $1 million, with more potentially undiscovered.
Blackbeard’s Cannon Cache – $500,000+
Buried beneath the ocean for centuries, Blackbeard’s lost cannons were finally recovered. These powerful weapons once defended the Queen Anne’s Revenge, his infamous flagship. When the ship sank in 1718, they went down with it.
Several iron and bronze cannons were found during excavation efforts. Each cannon was carefully preserved and restored for display in museums. While their historical value is priceless, similar cannons from the 1700s have sold for large sums.
Pirates relied on cannons to take down enemy ships. Owning such weapons gave them an advantage at sea. The cannons found in Blackbeard’s wreck remain a fascinating part of maritime history.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Blackbeard’s cannons could be worth $200,000 to $500,000 in total.
LKA Emerald – $1,500,000+
A shocking discovery was made in 1984. The LKA Emerald, a massive 1,686-carat crystal, was found at the Rist Mine in North Carolina.
Jewelry experts were impressed by its deep green color. The crystal was estimated to be worth over $1 million. Unlike other famous emeralds, it was never sold and remains in a private collection.
Few emeralds of this size exist. It remains one of the most important gemstone finds in North Carolina’s history. Because of its rarity, its value continues to increase.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The LKA Emerald would be valued at over $1.5 million in today’s market.
Bechtler $2.50 Gold Coin – $123,375+
Christopher Bechtler was a German immigrant who minted gold coins in North Carolina in the 1830s. His coins were widely used in the South before the U.S. government opened its own mint in Charlotte. A rare $2.50 gold coin from Bechtler’s private mint was discovered in nearly perfect condition.
Collectors and historians were excited about this find. The coin’s quality and rarity made it highly desirable.
Gold coins from private mints tell the story of America’s early economy. Bechtler’s coins were trusted by merchants and miners during the first U.S. gold rush. Finding one in such great shape was an incredible discovery.
How much the treasure would be worth today
This rare gold coin sold for $123,375 at auction due to its exceptional condition.
Confederate “Pots of Gold” Cache – $5,000,000+
A farmer in 1910, while plowing near a railroad in McLeansville, struck three iron pots filled with gold coins. The coins were all $20 gold pieces from the Civil War era.
Rumors of buried Confederate treasure had existed for years. Officials fleeing at the end of the war were believed to have hidden large amounts of gold. The farmer’s find was just a small portion of a fortune that could still be out there.
Many treasure hunters have searched for more of the missing gold. The total value of the hidden Confederate gold is unknown. Some believe millions of dollars’ worth of coins remain buried in North Carolina.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The three recovered pots contained hundreds of $20 gold coins, and if more of the rumored treasure is found, the total cache could be valued between $2 million and $5 million or more.
Civil War-Era Slave Photograph – $30,000+
A rare photograph was discovered in a Charlotte attic in 2010. The image showed two enslaved boys from the 1860s. Alongside the photo was a bill of sale for one of the children.
Historians called the find extremely rare. Few photographs of enslaved children exist today. The image provided a haunting look at America’s past and the reality of slavery.
A collector in New York purchased the photograph. The document that came with it added to its historical value.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The rare Civil War-era photograph and bill of sale sold for $30,000 to a collector.
Opium Poppy Field – $500,000,000+
In 2017, a two-acre field of mature opium poppies was found in Catawba County. The illegal crop was one of the largest drug seizures in the state’s history.
Police estimated the field’s value to be massive. If the plants had been harvested for opium, they could have been worth $500 million. The case showed that large-scale drug operations can happen in unexpected places.
North Carolina is not known for poppy farming. The discovery was unusual because poppies are usually grown in other countries. The authorities destroyed the field before it could be used for drug production.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If harvested, the opium poppies could have been worth around $500 million.
Outer Banks Beach Coin Collection – $250,000+
For years, a fisherman named William Sell walked the beaches of the Outer Banks. Over time, he found an incredible collection of 55 old coins. These coins came from shipwrecks scattered along the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
The collection included coins from many different time periods. Some were ancient Greek and Roman coins, while others were Spanish and Chinese. The variety of coins showed how ships from all over the world had traveled these waters.
Beachcombers still search for treasures along the Outer Banks. Shipwrecks continue to wash up new finds from time to time. Bill Sell’s collection remains one of the most interesting discoveries in the area.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The 55 antique coins from various time periods could have an estimated collective value of $100,000 to $250,000, depending on rarity and condition.
Spanish Shipwreck Coin – $20,000,000+
Waves washed a silver coin onto Cape Lookout’s shore in 1992. It was a piece-of-eight from a Spanish treasure ship that sank in 1750. The wreck happened during a hurricane that scattered gold and silver into the sea.
Many treasure hunters believe more coins are still buried underwater. Some ships carried fortunes in gold bars and silver coins. If fully recovered, the lost cargo could be worth millions of dollars.
Shipwreck coins like this are important to history. They show how dangerous sea travel was in the past. Many Spanish ships never reached their destinations because of storms and pirates.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A single piece-of-eight can range from $300 to $3,000, but if the entire ship’s treasure is recovered, it could be worth $5 million to $20 million.
Giant Ground Sloth Fossil – $450,000+
A discovery from the Ice Age surprised workers in Wilmington in 1991. While digging, they uncovered bones from a giant ground sloth. Scientists identified it as Eremotherium, one of the biggest land mammals of its time.
This species could grow over 10 feet tall. Fossils of these sloths are rare, especially ones that are nearly complete. A similar skeleton was later put up for auction with a price tag of $450,000.
Fossil hunters and museums prize skeletons like this. They help researchers understand ancient ecosystems. North Carolina was once home to many large Ice Age animals, including mammoths and saber-tooth cats.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A complete skeleton of Eremotherium could sell for around $450,000 at auction.
Farmville Meteorite – $1,000,000+
A fireball streaked across the sky in 1934. In eastern North Carolina, meteorite fragments rained down near Farmville. The biggest piece weighed 111 pounds, making it one of the largest found in the state.
Meteorites like this are extremely valuable. A smaller 22-pound chunk was once valued at over $100,000. If the largest Farmville meteorite was sold, it could be worth much more.
Space rocks like these are studied by scientists. They reveal secrets about the early solar system. Some collectors also pay large sums to own them.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Based on similar meteorite sales, the 111-pound main mass would likely be valued between $500,000 and $1 million.
Carolina Prince Emerald – $250,000+
A sparkling green gemstone was cut from a rough emerald in 1999. The Carolina Prince, a 7.85-carat emerald, was shaped from the same 88-carat raw stone as the Carolina Queen. A private collector quickly bought it for $100,000.
Emeralds from North Carolina are highly prized. Their deep green color and rarity make them special. The Carolina Prince is one of the finest ever found in the state.
Gem collectors and jewelers value stones like this. The demand for high-quality emeralds remains strong. If sold today, its price could be even higher.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Originally sold for $100,000, but due to increasing emerald values, it could now be worth $150,000 to $250,000.
Megalodon Shark Tooth – $10,000+
A massive Megalodon shark tooth measuring over six inches was found along Pungo River’s coast. These fossilized teeth come from Carcharocles megalodon, a prehistoric shark that once ruled the oceans.
The sheer size of this tooth made it a rare and valuable find. Megalodon teeth are common in the region, but well-preserved ones of this size are much harder to find. Fossil collectors and scientists prize them for their connection to one of history’s largest predators.
Unlike other fossils, shark teeth are often found loose because sharks shed thousands during their lifetime. The discovery of this massive tooth suggests that the area was once home to giant prehistoric sharks. Many believe that more hidden fossils remain in North Carolina’s waterways.
How much the treasure would be worth today
A well-preserved Megalodon tooth over six inches long can be worth $2,000 to $10,000.
Now check out our list of 21 Lost Treasures in North Carolina that you could still search for today.
