Find out why the treasure hunter, who discovered the ship in 1988, is now in jail after selling some of its treasures for a whopping $50 million.

Fearing a domino effect and potential run on the banks, a group of financial institutions launched an unprecedented mission to bring Californian gold from Panama to New York. This daring move was the only way to safeguard the US financial system. Thanks to their valiant efforts, the crisis was averted and the US economy was spared.

With a staggering value of $2 million, the precious cargo was worth hundreds of millions in today’s money. The journey was a risky one, but the SS Central America and her 477 passengers and 101 crew members bravely set sail in search of a brighter tomorrow.

But the calm waters gave way to an unexpected surprise when strong winds began to pick up and the sea turned choppy. The captain and his crew had to brave the raging waters and navigate the ship to safety. Despite the obstacles, the captain remained determined and eventually, the vessel arrived at its destination unscathed.

For two days, the ship was battered by the relentless storm, its hull and sails taking a severe beating as the waves crashed against it. On the 11th of September, the ship could no longer withstand the onslaught and sank beneath the waves, taking with it its precious cargo and hundreds of lives.

However, several lifeboats were successfully launched and eventually the SS Central America sank into the depths of the sea at 8 pm. While the tragedy of the ship sinking was unavoidable, the brave rescue mission was a miracle at sea.

It was the deadliest maritime disaster in American history, with a toll that still captures the imagination of the world. Yet, through the sorrow, there is a sense of hope and resilience, as the story of 53 survivors serves as a reminder of human strength and courage.

The precious cargo on the ship was intended to prevent the crisis, but it’s sinking created a run on the banks, resulting in a severe economic downturn felt around the world. The Panic of 1857 and its far-reaching consequences showed us a glimpse of the fragility of the global economy.

He had become obsessed with finding the ship and its lost gold, and after years of analysis and technological development, he was ready to take on the challenge. In 1988, Thompson and his team received a $12.5 million investment to finance an extensive search and salvage operation. It was the beginning of an unprecedented hunt for the lost ship and its gold!

Thompson’s discovery marked a major milestone in the history of underwater exploration. He had uncovered a lost treasure, which would be later retrieved and shared with the world. It was a remarkable achievement, honoring the memory of the brave souls who had gone down with the ship in 1857.

Filled with determination, Tommy’s efforts paid off. From 1988 to 1991, he recovered an impressive haul worth tens of millions of dollars – a small fraction of the total lost treasure. It was an incredible feat of ocean exploration – one that proved the power of dedication and hard work.

The case became highly publicized, as the companies fought for the right to gold. Eventually, in 1996, the dispute was finally put to rest. The unending battle over gold had finally come to an end.

Unfortunately, this victory did not come without controversy. The group’s leader, Thompson, had drawn the ire of his investors, who claimed they hadn’t received a return on the money they had put into the operation. Despite this, the group was still able to come out on top and make history in the process.

Two investors teamed up to sue him in 2005, joined a year later by members of the crew, who claimed they were cheated out of money too. Rather than dealing with the consequences, Thompson ran away to Florida. Despite his attempts to avoid punishment, Thompson was eventually convicted of fraud in 2016 and sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison.

Antekeier revealed that over a four-year period, she had moved 500 gold coins from California to Jacksonville before Thompson asked her to store them in a self-storage unit in Fort Lauderdale. She testified that she gave the coins, contained in four to five briefcases, to a stranger. The thrilling story of Thompson’s dramatic escape from justice and his eventual capture is a must-read.

He further revealed that the $50 million he’d received had been spent on legal fees and loans taken out to finance the salvage operation. As the mystery deepens, the real question is: where did the money go? Join us in the hunt for the missing millions to uncover the truth.

On top of that, he has already been slapped with a hefty $250,000 fine for initially refusing to reveal its location. It looks like Thompson will be stuck in jail until he finally reveals the secret of his buried treasure.

Now, they have been busily scouring the depths, uncovering the secrets of the SS Central America and recovering a wealth of treasure. From gold coins to valuable artifacts, the expedition has proven to be a success, and there’s still more to be found. Join Odyssey Marine Exploration on their journey of discovery, as they uncover the secrets of the SS Central America.

All of this was then sold to California Gold Marketing Group, the same company that purchased Tommy Gregory Thompson’s collection in 2000. It was a remarkable feat and a testament to the firm’s dedication and resourcefulness. Who knows what other underwater secrets lie in wait to be discovered?

This unexpected payout was a reward for the investors’ faith, dedication and commitment to their venture. It was a symbol of hope and a reminder that fortunes can be made with the right amount of perseverance.

It’s hard to believe, but the incredible collection of coins was snapped up by buyers before the end of the year, making this one of the most impressive feats of the decade.

On January 14th, 2022, Heritage Auctions sold an 866.19-ounce Justh & Hunter ingot for an unbelievable $2.16 million – the largest SS Central America ingot to ever be offered at auction. It’s a true testament to the power and potential of the sea and its hidden riches!

Finally, in 2019, the coins started to make their way onto the market, creating a stir among collectors and treasure seekers alike. The discovery of these silver coins has certainly added another layer of mystery to the SS Central America’s legacy. Who knows what else lies hidden within its depths?

These coins can be easily identified by the large “s” over a smaller “s” mint mark. Out of the 503 silver dollars found in a small part of the shipwreck, the rarest of the dimes is estimated to be worth up to an astounding $75,000. The discovery of these rare coins is a significant event in history, as it reveals a treasure trove of secrets from the past.

After 30 years of hard work, the group was rewarded with $678,000 as compensation. This long-awaited windfall was the fruit of their labour, and a testament to the team’s perseverance in their pursuit of the gold at sea.

The business is now in the process of developing new technology to home in on the remaining gold from its shipwreck projects, potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Odyssey Marine Exploration is looking to the future with optimism and eager to continue its excavation work in mineral projects and across its various shipwrecks. With luck, the company will soon be swimming in success!

Even the testimonies of his ex-girlfriend Alison Antekeier have failed to provide the answers. This has left one of the greatest lost treasures in US history shrouded in mystery. With no end in sight, the mystery of the lost gold coins continues to deepen.

After stops in Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, Connecticut and New York, many of the pieces were auctioned off in December 2022 and more are due to go under the hammer in February this year. It remains to be seen if the remaining items from the SS Central America will ever be found again. Don’t miss out on the chance to own a piece of this incredible history!