List of lost treasures facts for kids

This article is about famous treasures that have been lost or are currently missing. Imagine ancient gold, sparkling jewels, or important historical items that no one has found yet! Many people still search for these treasures, hoping to uncover their secrets.

Famous Lost Treasures

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant is a very old and important golden chest. It is mentioned in the Bible and was believed to hold special items, including the Ten Commandments. The Ark was described as being about 2.5 cubits long and 1.5 cubits wide and tall. A cubit was an ancient unit of measurement. The Ark disappeared around 586 BC. No one knows where it is today.

Copper Scroll Treasures

The Copper Scroll is a unique ancient document found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It's made of copper and lists many hidden treasures of gold and silver. The scroll describes where these treasures are buried. It was written sometime between 25 and 75 AD. So far, none of the treasures mentioned in the scroll have been found.

Part of the Copper Scroll.

Kusanagi Sword

The Kusanagi is a legendary sword from Japan. It is one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan. These treasures are very important because they show that the Emperor of Japan has the right to rule. The Kusanagi sword was lost at sea in 1185 during a big battle called the Battle of Dan-no-ura. Even though the Japanese government says they have it, they have not let anyone outside check if it's the real one.

An artist's drawing of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan.

Dracula's Treasure

This treasure belonged to Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracula. It was kept in a vault at Snagov monastery. The treasure went missing sometime between 1462 and 1476. Some stories say it was buried, thrown into Lake Snagov, or moved somewhere else. Its exact fate is still a mystery.

La Noche Triste Treasure

In 1520, during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, Spanish soldiers took a lot of gold artwork from the palace of Moctezuma II. This happened during an event known as "La Noche Triste," which means "The Sad Night." Much of this stolen gold was lost.

Treasure of Amaro Pargo

Amaro Pargo was a famous Spanish pirate and merchant who lived from 1678 to 1747. Stories say he had a huge treasure. This treasure might have included carved silver, gold jewelry, pearls, valuable stones, Chinese porcelain, and rich fabrics. Some even say it included 500,000 pesos. People believe it could be hidden near the Roques de Anaga or in a cave near Punta del Hidalgo in Tenerife. So far, no one has found it.

A portrait of Amaro Pargo.

Polish Crown Jewels

The Polish Crown Jewels were a collection of crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, and other jewels. They were taken by the Germans in 1795 after the Third Partition of Poland. This was when Poland was divided up by other countries. The jewels were later destroyed in 1809 by order of Frederick William III of Prussia.

Replicas of the Polish Crown Jewels.

Treasure of Lima

This treasure was gold, silver, and jewelry stolen from the Spanish in 1820. It is believed to be buried on Cocos Island in Costa Rica. Some estimate its value to be around £160 million. Many treasure hunters have searched for it, but it remains lost.

Benito's Treasure

Benito's treasure is the pirate loot of Benito Bonito. It is said to be worth about $300 million. Stories about where it's buried are different. Some say it's in Australia, near present-day Melbourne or Queenscliff. Others believe it's also on Cocos Island.

Irish Crown Jewels

The Irish Crown Jewels were very fancy jewels that belonged to the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick. They were stolen from Dublin Castle in 1907. These jewels were very valuable and had many precious stones.

The Irish Crown Jewels.

Lost Imperial Fabergé Eggs

Fabergé eggs are beautiful, jeweled eggs made by the House of Fabergé for the Russian Imperial family. Eight of these special eggs were lost around 1922 or later. Each egg was a unique work of art. Some of the lost eggs include:

• The Hen with Sapphire Pendant egg (1886)
• The Cherub with Chariot egg (1888)
• The Nécessaire egg (1889)
• The Alexander III Portraits egg (1896)
• The Mauve egg (1897)
• The Empire Nephrite egg (1902)
• The Royal Danish egg (1903)
• The Alexander III Commemorative egg (1909)

The Alexander III egg, one of the lost Fabergé eggs.

The Just Judges

"The Just Judges" is the lower left part of a famous painting called the Ghent Altarpiece. It was displayed at the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium. This panel was stolen during the night of April 10, 1934. It has never been found, and a replica now stands in its place.

A replica of "The Just Judges" panel.

Royal Casket

The Royal Casket was a memorial containing 73 precious items that once belonged to Polish royalty. It was looted during World War II in 1939. The casket held many valuable relics and historical pieces.

The Royal Casket.

Peking Man Fossils

"Peking Man" refers to the fossil remains of an early human ancestor, Homo erectus pekinensis. These fossils are about 500,000 years old. They were lost during World War II, sometime between 1941 and 1945. It is thought they might have been lost in China in 1941 or possibly on a ship called the Awa Maru when it sank in 1945.

A replica of the Peking Man skull.

Amber Room

The Amber Room was a beautiful room decorated with amber panels, gold leaf, and mirrors. It was taken from Catherine Palace in Russia by Germans during World War II. It was then moved to Germany. The room is estimated to be worth about $142 million. It disappeared around 1945 and has never been found.

A reconstruction of the Amber Room.

Yamashita's Gold

Yamashita's gold is war loot that was supposedly stolen by the Japanese during World War II. It is said to be hidden in the Philippines. The treasure is named after General Tomoyuki Yamashita. Many people have searched for this legendary treasure.

Awa Maru Treasure

The Awa Maru was a Japanese ship that sank in April 1945 after being hit by a torpedo. It was carrying a huge treasure of gold, platinum, and diamonds, worth more than $5 billion. This valuable cargo was lost when the ship went down.

Patiala Necklace

The Patiala Necklace was an amazing necklace made by the House of Cartier in 1928. It was for Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, a Maharaja in India. The necklace had 2,930 diamonds, including the world's seventh largest diamond, the 428-carat "De Beers." The necklace disappeared around 1948. Some of its diamonds were later found, but the complete necklace remains lost.

The Patiala Necklace.

Nelson's Chelengk

Nelson's Chelengk was a special medal made of diamonds. It was given to Admiral Horatio Nelson for his important naval service. This unique medal was stolen from the National Maritime Museum in London in 1951.

The Chelengk in Nelson's hat.

Lufthansa Heist

In December 1978, a large amount of cash and jewels was stolen from Lufthansa's cargo terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the United States. This robbery was worth about $5 million. At the time, it was the biggest cash robbery in U.S. history.

Antwerp Diamond Heist

The Antwerp Diamond Heist happened in 2003. Diamonds, gold, and other jewels worth $189 million were stolen. It is often called the "heist of the century" because of how much was taken.

Graff Diamonds Robbery

In 2009, 43 pieces of jewelry were stolen from Graff Diamonds in London. The stolen items were worth nearly £40 million.

Ivory Coast Crown Jewels

In 2011, gold pendants, necklaces, and bracelets worth $6 million were stolen. These items were part of the Ivory Coast Crown Jewels.

Brussels Airport Diamond Heist

In 2013, diamonds worth $50 million were stolen from an airplane at Brussels Airport.

Swedish Royal Regalia

In 2018, two crowns and an orb were stolen from Strängnäs Cathedral in Sweden. These items were part of the funeral regalia of King Charles IX and Queen Christina.

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