🖊️ 14—Antique Legends

TREASURES

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✩ Legendary Treasures ✩

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Antiques, 14 Finds, $623 Million+

Hidden Treasures Found in Everyday Places

Some of the most astonishing treasures aren’t buried underground—they’re 'hidden' in plain sight. News reports have revealed remarkable antique discoveries in ordinary settings, from attics to yard sales. By exploring the map, you can trace how different treasure eras, styles, and locations have shaped these unexpected finds.

A few legendary examples from the list include:

$1 Million for a blanket found in a closet
$5 Million for a photo discovered at a flea market
$10 Million for a document found in a scrapbook

Overlooked for years, these surprising discoveries show how valuable treasures can be—even when hiding in plain sight. Explore the full list below the ad ☟

Vintage treasure-hunt advertising in retro cityscape.

14—Legendary Finds:

1. Da Vinci Discovery—$450 Million for Painting Found at Estate Auction

📽️ 📅 2017 Report: In the USA, a once-overlooked painting—Salvator Mundi, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci—was rediscovered after being purchased at a U.S. estate auction for reportedly under $10,000. Later authenticated, the rare artwork sold for a record-breaking $450 million. Believed to be the last da Vinci in private hands, the painting is considered priceless. Full story in a three-minute video.

Video: 🔗 ABC News / YouTube

2. Imperial Find—$83 Million for Vase Discovered in Attic

📽️ 📅 2010 Report: In London, UK, a Qing Dynasty vase from the 1740s—found in an attic—set a record by selling for $83 million after fees. Its rarity and Imperial Chinese origin make it an invaluable historical artifact. Watch the full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 ABC News Australia / YouTube

3. Fabergé Find—$30 Million for $14K Gold Egg Discovered at Junk Auction

📽️ 📅 2014 Report: A scrap dealer in the United States inadvertently became a millionaire after discovering a lost Fabergé egg at a junk auction in the Midwest. Purchased for $14,000, this treasure—crafted for the Russian royal family in 1887 and lost after the revolution—resurfaced decades later, adorned with diamonds and sapphires. Its rarity and historical significance led to a reported sale price of around $30 million. Full story in a one-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Bloomberg / Youtube

4. Victorian Vault—£10M ($15 Million) Magna Carta Found in Archive Scrapbook

📰 📅 2015 Report: In Sandwich, England, a rare 1300 copy of the Magna Carta—one of just 24 known—was discovered in a Victorian-era scrapbook in the town archive. Though damaged, it remains historically significant. Experts authenticated it and valued it at up to £10M ($15.2 million at the time). The town planned to keep it as a tourist attraction.

Story and image: 🔗 PBS News

5. Stamp Sensation—$9.5 Million for Priceless Postal Artifact Found in Basement

📽️ 📅 2017 Report: In the UK, the rare One-Cent Magenta stamp—originally purchased for a penny in 1856—was rediscovered by a 12-year-old boy in his uncle’s basement in 1873. Known as one of the world’s most valuable stamps, it was auctioned for $9.5 million in 2014. After being hidden for decades, the stamp’s extreme rarity and immense value have made it a prized treasure for collectors. Full story in a seven-minute video.

Video: 🔗 CBS Mornings / YouTube

6. TV Stand Treasure—£6.3M ($8 Million) for 17th-Century Chest Found in Estate

📰 📅 2013 Report: In the UK, a rare 17th-century Japanese lacquered chest—discovered during an estate house clearance and once used as a TV stand—sold for £6.3M (approximately $8 million based on 2024 rates) at auction. Purchased for £100 (about $127) in 1970, the chest, sought by museums, is one of only 10 worldwide. Made by Kaomi Nagashige, its rarity and intricate artistry amazed experts.

Story and images: 🔗 Daily Mail

7. Tudor Treasure—$7 Million Potential for Pendant Linked to King, Found by Café Owner

📽️ 📅 2023 Report: A café owner in the UK made a remarkable discovery while metal detecting—a priceless Tudor gold pendant linked to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. This find, compared to Ireland’s famous 8th-century Derrynaflan Chalice, valued at $7 million, underscores the global allure and historical significance of treasure hunting. Full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 ABC News / YouTube

8. Flea Market Fortune—$5 Million+ for Billy the Kid Photo Found in U.S.

📰 📅 2017 Report: In North Carolina, USA, a defense attorney bought a 19th-century tintype at a flea market for $10, later identified as an image of Billy the Kid with lawman Pat Garrett. Experts confirmed its authenticity, and comparisons suggest its value may exceed $5 million. The photo's origins remain a mystery.

Story and image: 🔗 Smithsonian Magazine

9. Nickel Mystery—$4.2 Million for Closet Find Once Called a Fake

📰 📅 2022 Report: In the US, a rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel—once deemed fake and lost for decades—fetched $4.2 million after it was unearthed in a family closet and authenticated by specialists. Originally found at a car crash site, this nickel represents a significant find in numismatic history. The story highlights the importance of reputable specialists for examining and valuing potential treasures.

Story and images: 🔗 TMZ

10. Street Treasure—$3.2 Million for Discarded Chairs Found by Scrap Collector

📰 📅 2023 Report: In Beijing, China's bustling vintage markets, a retired factory worker discovered two discarded wooden chairs that were later identified as Ming Dynasty antiques. These chairs sold at auction for 23 million yuan (around $3.2 million, based on 2024 rates). Originally acquired for free while he was collecting scrap, these chairs turned out to be rare royal items, made from prized pear wood used in historic Chinese palaces. Their remarkable discovery underscores the unpredictable fortune hidden in everyday items.

Story and images: 🔗 The Thaiger

11. Helmet Hoard—£2.3 Million ($2.9 Million) for Rare Roman Find in Field

📰 📅 2010 Report: A rare Roman bronze helmet from the late 1st century AD, found in a field in Crosby Garrett, Cumbria, UK, by a young metal detecting enthusiast, sold for £2.3 million (approximately $2.9 million) at auction. Originally estimated to fetch £300,000 (about $380,000), the helmet's auction sparked a bidding war, ultimately selling for over seven times its expected price. Discovered during a routine search, the helmet is one of only three of its kind found in Britain, emphasizing its rarity and historical significance.

Story and images: 🔗 Daily Mail

12. Journal Gem—$2.2 Million for $14K Antique Medical Book Bought at Auction

📰 📅 2024 Report: In Canada, a retired doctor discovered a rare 1555 Renaissance anatomy book by Andreas Vesalius, initially purchased at auction for $14,000. Following further research, the book was auctioned for $2.2 million due to its unparalleled historical and scientific value, marking it as a priceless find.

Story and images: 🔗 artnet

13. Blanket Bonanza—$1.8 Million for Antique Family Heirloom Discovered in Closet

📽️ 📅 2012 Report: In Southern California, USA, a priceless Navajo First Phase Chief's Wearing Blanket, which had reportedly been sitting in a man's closet for seven years, sold for $1.8 million (including auction fees) after its owner discovered its potential value while watching PBS's Antiques RoadShow. Prompted by this revelation, he took it to a free appraisal event. Passed down through generations, the blanket set a new auction record—previously $522,500. This rare textile, emblematic of early Navajo craftsmanship, brought significant financial relief to its owner, transforming his life dramatically. Full story in a seven-minute video.

Video: 🔗 John Moran Auctioneers / YouTube

14. Titanic Treasure—$1.7 Million (USD) for Historic Violin Found in UK Attic

📰 📅 2013 Report: A violin played by Wallace Hartley during the Titanic's sinking was auctioned in the UK for $1.78 million. Discovered in a Yorkshire attic in 2006, the instrument—originally valued between £200,000 and £300,000—is believed to date back to 1880 and was an engagement gift. With its authenticity confirmed, the violin is considered priceless due to its historical significance.

Story and image: 🔗 The Hollywood Reporter

These inspiring discoveries reveal the untapped potential of everyday spaces as hidden treasure troves. Explore the top 40 finds below the ad ☟

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