Forrest Fenn’s Treasure is For Sale

The greatest treasure hunt in modern history ended two years ago, but the pursuit isn’t over if you’re willing to pay.

Earlier this week,Heritage Auctions announcedthat 476 items from the famed Forrest Fenn treasure are up for sale. Heritage Auctions acquired the treasure from Tosuro Sagrado Holdings, LLC, who purchased it from the finder, Jack Stuef.

We’ve covered Fenn’s treasure extensively at MeatEater. On June 8, 2020, we announced thatFenn’s treasure was found. On June 22, 2020, we shared some of thefirst photos of the treasureavailable to the public. On July 8, 2020, we went over the four best theories on the treasure’s location. On November 9, 2020, werecorded a podcastwith Fenn expert Benjamin Wallace. On December 8, 2020, we coveredthe identity of the finder. And on May 13, 2022, we wrote about how thelocation of the treasurewas revealed. For a refresher on the timeline of events, readthis piece.

The highlights of the auction include a1-pound gold nugget,1500-year-old Tairona necklace made of gold and stone,1000-year-old Diquis frog pendant made of gold and copper, and20,000-word autobiography sealed in a glass jar. The enormous golden nugget has the highest bid at $18,000, while the cheapest items aregrams of gold dustthat have been bid up to $28 as of publishing this.

Some of the relics that won’t come up for auction include the treasure chest and dragon bracelet, which Tosuro Sagrado Holdings, LLC has chosen to keep. It was believed the treasure was worth about $2 million, but it’s unclear what Stuef’s price tag was.

It’s not a surprise that the Fenn treasure made it to market. Ever since Stuef’s identity was revealed, he said he planned to sell it. “Alas, I’m a millennial and have student loans to pay off, so it wouldn’t be prudent to continue to own the Fenn Treasure,” Stuef wrote in a 2020blog post.

Still, the treasure-hunting community is torn on this being the conclusion of the decade-long search. Some are frustrated the bounty is being split up and sold, as one of Fenn’s last wishes was that it’d end up in a public place. Others aren’t even convinced Stuef is the genuine finder—there are unfounded accusations that he was hired by Fenn to retrieve the treasure. And then there are those like me, who just hope to purchase a gram of gold dust to commemorate the adventure.

The auction ends on December 12, 2022.

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