5 centuries of bubbles and bursts

History is replete with financial frenzies that seem ridiculous in hindsight, but were viewed as anything but at the time.

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1720: South Sea Co.
It was called a sure thing by British bankers who successfully hawked South Sea's shares as a play on New World trade. But profits never materialized, investors bailed, and South Seas' officials went to jail.

NEXT: 1848: Gold Rush I
Last updated January 06 2010: 5:25 PM ET
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