Silver Thefts in the Americas
Historical unsolved silver bullion thefts of North and South America
History

These historical cases continue to fuel fascination and treasure-hunting efforts today, combining elements of history, folklore, and adventure.

Common Themes in Silver Heists:

• Piracy and Banditry: Many thefts occurred during transport, as silver shipments were prime targets for criminals.
• Natural Disasters: Shipwrecks and accidents contributed to lost cargo, often in remote or treacherous areas.
• Mystery and Legend: Many cases involve speculative tales of hidden caches or cursed treasures.

The San Miguel de Archangel Shipwreck (1715)

• Location: Florida Coast, USA
  
• Incident: The San Miguel, part of the Spanish treasure fleet, was loaded with silver bullion and other valuables destined for Spain when it sank in a hurricane. While some treasure has been recovered, vast amounts of silver bullion remain unaccounted for, sparking modern treasure-hunting expeditions.
  
• Current Status: The exact location of much of the silver remains a mystery.

The Lost Silver of Cerro Rico (18th Century)

• Location: Potosí, Bolivia
  
• Incident: During the height of colonial mining at Cerro Rico, shipments of silver bullion from Bolivia to the Spanish Crown were occasionally intercepted or lost. Pirates, bandits, and treacherous terrain contributed to these losses.
  
• Current Status: Stories persist of hidden caches of silver buried along transport routes, but they have never been confirmed.

The Peralta Silver Mine and Stolen Bullion (19th Century)

• Location: Superstition Mountains, Arizona, USA
  
• Incident: In the 1800s, the Peralta family supposedly operated a rich silver mine. Legend says they were ambushed by local tribes or bandits and lost a shipment of silver bullion, which remains hidden.
  
• Current Status: The "Lost Dutchman's Mine" legend is tied to this, but the bullion has never been found.

The Plummer Gang Heist (1860s)

• Location: Montana Territory, USA
  
• Incident: A gang led by Sheriff Henry Plummer allegedly stole shipments of silver bullion from miners. Much of the gang's loot, including silver, is rumoured to have been buried near Bannack, Montana.
  
• Current Status: Despite treasure hunters' efforts, no substantial discovery of the stolen silver has been reported.

The SS Central America Wreck (1857)

• Location: Off the Coast of South Carolina, USA
  
• Incident: The ship sank during a hurricane while carrying a massive cargo of gold and silver bullion. While gold has been recovered in recent expeditions, significant quantities of silver are still unaccounted for.
  
• Current Status: The site remains a focus for modern salvage efforts.

The Bolivian Silver Train Ambush (1908)

• Location: Bolivia
  
• Incident: A train carrying silver bullion from Potosí mines was ambushed, likely by bandits or revolutionaries. The cargo was never recovered.
  
• Current Status: The silver is believed to be buried in the region but remains undiscovered.

The Great Mint Robbery of 1971 (Lima, Peru)

• Location: Lima, Peru
  
• Incident: A shipment of silver bullion destined for export disappeared from a mint facility under mysterious circumstances. Speculation ranged from internal collusion to organized crime involvement.
  
• Current Status: The case remains unsolved, and the silver was never recovered.