Treasure chest

Treasure chests were small boxes full of money and items, which could be found in a variety of locations. Though most were found in banks or under armed guard, they could also be located alone on various rooftops or streets. The money they contained could range from small to large amounts.

The chests could either be red or gold, with the latter usually containing more currency. When viewed through the Animus, they flashed unevenly with white, and could be seen most easily with Eagle Vision.

Renaissance
Chests in banks were protected by four armed guards, but those scattered inside cities were usually unguarded, or protected by one or two guards. Those outside of cities however, such as in the Appennine Mountains, were not guarded. In Rome and Constantinople, though not usually directly guarded, people opening chests on rooftops would be attacked by any nearby patrolling archers.

Banks contained two chests, and while they were always guarded by three or four men outside the doors, more guards usually patrolled nearby. Rebecca Crane once stated that although all families owned banks, most of them were held by the Pazzi family, and that breaking into them would be worthwhile.

Art merchants also sold treasure maps that marked the locations of the chests in an entire city, or in one of its districts, with them varying in price. They costed between 150ƒ to 395ƒ in the city of Florence, 150ƒ in the Appennine Mountains, 285ƒ in Monteriggioni, 175ƒ to 240ƒ in Tuscany, 235ƒ to 260ƒ in Romagna, and 485ƒ to 995ƒ in Venice.

Valuable items
Aside from money, chests found in Rome could also contain a variety of trade items. These could later be sold to shops, or traded for other valuable items or equipment. They could vary between common objects, such as jars of leeches, or valuable jewelry.

Chests could also be found in the many Lairs of Romulus. Aside from money and valuable items, one special chest per lair could be found in its shrine, which contained one of six keys that unlocked the door to the Followers of Romulus' treasure.

However, chests in Constantinople contained bomb ingredients, replacing trade items.

Trivia

 * In Assassin's Creed, Templar knights would sometimes be found guarding chests, however these could not be opened.
 * In Assassin's Creed II, there were 330 treasure chests spread over the four cities and mountains, as well as two hidden chests in each secret location.
 * Investing in the Monteriggioni Well, Mine and Church through the Villa Auditore would grant Ezio access to two additional chests in each of the three locations.
 * There were also two chests in Ezio's room, in the top floor of the villa. These chests, despite being golden, only contain 200ƒ to 600ƒ.
 * In general, the amount of florins in each chest increased with every new city Ezio traveled to, presumably due to the increasing cost of weapons and armor.
 * In the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood memories "Escape From Debt" or "Follow The Money," two golden treasure chests may be found in Francesco Troche's house.