Routine dredging at Texas City Dike discovers gold coins, lost pirate treasure

The City of Texas City said that during the recent routine dredging at the Texas City Dike, crews made a discovery that was anything but routine: gold coins, commonly known as doubloons.

Estimated to be worth millions, the gold is believed to be lost pirate treasure, most likely dating back to the 1800s when pirates roamed the waters of the Gulf Coast.

In 1817, privateer Jean Lafitte and his brother Pierre, along with James Campbell, attacked and captured ships, taking merchant gold and reselling stolen goods throughout the Gulf Coast.

After the federal government intervened, Campbell and his wife Mary settled in Texas City, where they lived a quiet life of farming until his death in 1856. Local legend has long claimed that Campbell hid his stolen treasures along the coastline, but until the recent discovery, nothing could ever be substantiated.

A portion of the gold is now on display at Texas City Museum, with the remainder being considered to fund the Dike addition nicknamed “Baby Dike,” which coincidentally was announced two years ago today.

The City of Texas City said that “they would like to thank April Foolery Enterprises, along with Annual Silliness, Inc. and Gotcha Incorporated, for their assistance in this endeavor.”