30 of the Most Valuable Shipwreck Treasures Ever Found
Stanley Leary / AP Photo
The lure of shipwrecks and the treasures they yield has fascinated many people, not only for their monetary worth but also their rich history. Each wreck is a time capsule that tells a story from the past, connecting us to people and their cultural backgrounds from long ago. Sunken ships and their artifacts also offer an expansive exploration of the deep-water marine environment and how it has changed over time. In addition, the type of vessel and its cargo reveal many aspects of history, including trade, warfare, technology and the lifestyle of people from a particular era.
Of course, treasure hunting is a large part of the appeal, and many explorers have gotten rich from their discoveries. There are still hundreds of shipwrecks yet to be found under the sea — several of which are quite famous for their valuable cargo, which continues to spark the interest of treasure hunters. Here are 30 of the most valuable shipwreck finds from around the globe, listed by the year they were discovered, starting with the oldest first.
30. RMS Rhone
Value: Undisclosed
Date found: Oct. 19, 1867
Location found: British Virgin Islands
The History Behind the Shipwreck
The 310-foot-long Rhone was a luxurious passenger ship built in England in 1865. It regularly traveled from Europe, the Caribbean and South America for two years until its demise in October 1867.
The vessel stopped alongside the RMS Conway in Great Harbour, Peter Island, to refuel when it got caught in a Category 3 Hurricane (later named the San Narciso). During a lull in the storm, the Rhone tried to make a break to a safer harbor, but the violent winds knocked the ship into the rocks at Black Rock Point, breaking the vessel in two. What makes the shipwreck so valuable is that, in 1980, it became the British Island’s first national marine park and is now one of the most popular dive sites in the world.
29. The Antikythera
Value: $120-160 million
Date found: 1900
Location found: Off the coast of Antikythera on the edge of the Aegean Sea
The History Behind the Shipwreck
The Antikythera, a Roman-era First Century B.C. ship that sank at least 2,000 years ago, was discovered in 1900 by sponge divers.
The ancient wreckage contained priceless artifacts, including an analog device for predicting astronomical positions and eclipses.