40. Pirates and Treasure

Pirates burying treasure was rare. The only documented pirate known to have buried treasure was William Kidd, although many other famous pirates were rumored to have buried treasure.  Most pirates spent whatever booty they stole on the classic expenses of women and booze.

Pirates did place their valuables in Treasure Chests.  A Treasure Chest could have been a very heavy wooden Strong Box or Coffer with metal strapping and lock hasps.  

Strong Boxes also known as Armadas were also used, such as the 1700s Armada Chest, that is displayed at this stop.  Armadas are iron bound and have intricate lock systems in the lids and come in all sizes.  

In later years, the Victorian Camel Back Trunk would have been similar to the trunk’s pirates would have used to store their treasure.  

Pirates were also interested in garish valuables such as the 5,900-Caret Emerald, also displayed in the case at this stop. 

Many large jewels were found on the 1715 Plate Fleet Shipwrecks off the coast of Florida.  The Atocha went down with 13,500 carats of emeralds that were originally mined at Muzo, Colombia.