6 A hoard worth $39 billion is believed to be at the bottom of Lake Toplitz in Austria. The treasure was dumped by the Nazi troops during the final days of WWII and has never been recovered.

During World War II in 1945, the Nazis troops hoarded as many treasures as they could under the orders of Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader is believed to have kept the treasures in various places across Europe including Lake Toplitz.

Much of the hoarded treasure was kept in the naval base in Lake Toplitz. However, the Nazi troops came under threat from the allied forces during the final days of the war. Ernst Kaltenbrunner ordered the dumping of the treasure into the lake. His nephew Michl was quoted saying: “…guaranteed, there is a lot of gold and vast treasures” at the bottom of Lake Toplitz.

Estimation shows that gold worth thirty-five billion Euros was dumped in the lake and is yet to be recovered. Over 100 million euros of fake sterling pound banknotes were retrieved from the lake. (1, 2)

7 The Irish Crown Jewels were the exquisite, jeweled star and badge regalia of the sovereign and grandmaster of the Order of St. Patrick. The jewelry, worth $20 million, disappeared from Dublin Castle in 1907 and has never been discovered.

The Irish Crown Jewels were regalia worn by the grandmaster of the order of St Patrick which was introduced in 1783 by George III. These unique gems were made up of 394 precious stones from Queen Charlotte’s jewelry. The diamond star and the badge were decorated with Brazillian stones of emeralds, rubies, and enamel. The exquisite jewelry was worn during the state occasions by the grandmaster. When not worn, the regalia were under the safekeeping by the Ulster King of Arms.

The crown jewels were kept in a bank vault until 1903 when they were transferred to the Dublin Castle and kept in a secure room. The jewel’s safe was too big to go through the secure room’s door. Sir Arthur Vicars decided to keep the safe in his office. He handled the two keys to the safe himself. However, Vicars used to drink and party too much. He would brag about the state regalia to his friends. In July 1907, the emblem went missing without a trace four days before a state visit by King Edward VII. The furious viceroy at that time, Joseph Gordon Campbell, ordered an investigation into the theft. Investigations took turn-twists, and it has never been resolved, and the precious jewels are still missing. (1, 2)

8 The treasure of Lima worth between $12  and $60 million went missing in 1820 when Lima came under threat. William Thompson, who was ferrying cargo to Mexico, turned pirate along the way and ran away with the booty.

During the 19th century, Lima was under threat of war, and so the then-leader of Lima made the decision to have Lima’s wealth be securely transported to Mexico for safekeeping. He appointed  Captain William Thompson to carry the treasure. Fascinated by the vast wealth, William Thompson turned pirate while on a sail to Mexico and killed the security guards aboard the ship. Thompson changed routes to the Cocos Island where he is reported to have safely buried the booty. Over the centuries, many treasure hunters, like August Gissler, have made unsuccessful treasure hunting trips to Cocos Island. (1, 2)

9 The Oak Island Money Pit is believed to hold a hoard worth $2.23 million. People have been trying – and failing – to reach the bottom of the shaft.

The Oak Island Money Pit legend dates back to the eighteenth century. At that time, Captain Kidd, who was a pirate, hinted that there was a hoard hidden on the island worth two million euros in today’s money. Captain Kidd said this while taking his last breaths in 1701. In 1799, a farmer named Daniel McGinnis discovered a free land with loose soil while he was looking for a place to farm. Quickly, McGinnis connected the loose soil with the tale of the hidden loot and began trying his luck. He hired two people to drill for the treasure. However, the duo abandoned the hunt after drilling nine meters below the ground. 

In 1802, the tall tale of hidden treasure drew the attention of the Onslow Company who went all the way from Nova Scotia to Oak Island to try their luck. However, they too gave up on the chase after drilling up to twenty-nine feet below, and all they discovered were logs, coconut fibers, and putty. The third company, named Truro Company, also tried their luck but were blocked by water that flooded the pit at thirty meters. Interesting enough, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was part of the treasure hunters under Old Gold Salvage Group who attempted to uncover the treasure in 1902.

Many other companies have tried to find the supposedly buried money at Oak Island, but nothing substantial has been found so far. The latter company documented their treasure hunting journey and aired it on the History Channel named “Curse of Oak Island.” So far, nothing but artifacts have been found while looking for the money pit. (source)

10 The Ark of the Covenant is religious relic described in the Book of Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The religious relic disappeared from biblical history in 587.

According to biblical historical accounts, the Ark of the Covenant was construction following God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ark was to purposely house the stone tablets that had the inscriptions of the Ten Commandments. The biblical accounts have clear instructions on what the Ark would look like, and the measurements were given to Moses. It was to be completely covered in pure gold. And on the top, a golden lid known as the “Mercy Seat” was placed. Finally, on top of the Ark are two cherubim.

Aside from housing the stone tablets, the Ark of the Covenant was of significant importance to the Israelites. On substantial accounts, the Ark helped part the waters of the River Jordan when the priests carrying it stepped on the river. It also helped the Israelites conquer Jericho during the Battle of Jericho. The priests brought the Ark around the city, and on the seventh day, the city’s walls came tumbling down giving the Israelites a massive victory.

However, the Ark was captured years later by the Philistines during the battle of Ebenezer. This action became the Philistines worst nightmare as plagues inflicted their people, forcing them to return the Ark to the Israelites. The Ark was passed down King David and later to King Solomon who stored it in his temple.

The Ark of the Covenant disappeared in 578 BCE when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem.  Ever since then, various versions have been told about the possible location of the Ark. One account has it that the Ark could be hidden on Mount Nebo. The Ark and other religious relics were carried and buried in a cave on Mount Nebo before the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem. In other reports, an Ethiopian church named “Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion” claims that they have the biblical Ark. Only the guard is allowed to see the Ark at the church. (source)