In June last year, a spectacular array of gold ingots, coins, and more went on display at the Long Beach Expo in California for just a few days only. This treasure was part of a 9.1-tonne cargo of gold worth millions of dollars that went down with the SS Central America in 1857, in what remains America's worst disaster at sea. This rare opportunity to view the artifacts from the doomed ship coincided with the 35th anniversary of its discovery.

Click or scroll on to learn the incredible story behind the sinking of the 'Ship of Gold' and its salvage operation – and why the treasure hunter who discovered the ship is now in jail.

All dollar values in US dollars.

The Story Of The Lost ' Ship Of Gold' And The Race To Recover Its Treasure