🖊️ 11—Auction Legends

TREASURES

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✩ Legendary Treasures ✩

█ A-Z // Fortunes Found 🔗 - [ i ]

Auctions, 11 Finds, $500 Million+

Hidden Treasures Found in Everyday Places

Some of the most astonishing treasures aren’t buried underground—they’re 'hidden' in auctions. News reports have revealed remarkable discoveries, from rare antiques to valuable art and collectibles. By exploring the map, you can trace how different treasure eras, styles, and locations have influenced these surprising finds.

A few legendary examples from the list below include:

$1 Million for rare music recordings
$4 Million for a basketball jersey
$30 Million for a rare antique artwork

Often overlooked for years, these surprising finds reveal how valuable treasures can be hidden in plain sight. Explore the full list below the ad ☟

Vintage treasure-hunt advertising in retro cityscape.

11—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. 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

3. Map Marvel—$7.5 Million for 14th-Century Chart Bought at Estate Auction

📰 📽️ 📅 2023 Report: In the USA, a 14th-century portolan chart was purchased at auction during a virtual estate sale for $239,000. Misdated as 16th century, it was later verified as circa 1360. Originally bought in 1993 for about $85,000, the chart is now listed at $7.5 million. It's the only complete 14th-century example known outside Europe.

Story, video, and images: 🔗 Los Angeles Times

4. Revolution Relic—$6 Million Estimated for $1,000 Auction Buy of U.S. Placecard

📰 📅 2024 Report: In the USA, a rare 18th-century Stamp Act Defiance Placard, pivotal in the American revolt against Britain, was unearthed. Valued at $4-$6 million, it's one of just two known specimens. Originally sold at a Boston auction in 1980 for less than $1,000, its rarity and historic significance render it priceless.

Story and image: 🔗 Observer

5. Jordan Gem—$4.2 Million for Rookie Jersey Bought for $800

📰 📽️ 📅 2025 Report: In Peoria, Illinois, USA, Michael Jordan's first Chicago Bulls jersey, worn during his 1984 preseason debut, sold for $4.2 million. Originally purchased for $800 at a Washington Bullets charity auction, it is the only photo-matched rookie-season jersey known to exist. The rare jersey resurfaced in 2009, selling again before achieving its record sum.

Story, video, and images: 🔗 cllct

6. Comic Cache—$3.2 Million for Rare Superman Issue Discovered in Auctioned Magazine Stack

📽️ 📅 2021 Report: In the United States, a rare 1938 Superman comic—originally priced at 10 cents—was discovered buried in a stack of old movie magazines purchased at an auction in the 1980s, remaining unnoticed for 50 years. This comic's unparalleled rarity and value led to its record-breaking sale for $3.2 million. Full story in a short video clip.

Video: 🔗 CBS New York / YouTube

7. 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

8. Renoir Revelation—Millions for $12 Sketch Bought in Easton Antique Auction

📰 📽️ 📅 2025 Report: In Easton, Pennsylvania, USA, an antique shop owner bought a nude sketch at auction for $12 and believes it may be an original Renoir from the 1880s. If authenticated, the artwork—previously owned by a prominent Philadelphia collector—could be worth millions. The piece aligns in paper, frame, and signature with known works by Renoir.

Story, images, and video: 🔗 Fox 29 Philadelphia

9. Moon Memorabilia—$1.8 Million for $1,000 Auction Lot Purchase

📽️ 📅 2017 Report: In the US, a moon bag containing traces of lunar dust collected by Neil Armstrong was discovered and later confirmed to be genuine—highlighting its rarity and historical importance. Originally purchased for under $1,000 in an online government auction, it eventually sold for $1.8 million at auction. Full story in a short video clip.

Video: 🔗 CBS Evening News / YouTube

10. Moon Walk Tapes—$1.8 Million for $217 Auction Lot with Historic Film Footage

📰 📽️ 📅 2019 Report: In the US, original NASA Apollo 11 moonwalk tapes were discovered in a surplus auction lot, purchased for $217. These tapes, later sold for $1.8 million, hold unmatched rarity and historical value, having been unintentionally preserved.

Story, video, and images: 🔗 UPI

11. Jackson Gold—Million Dollar Tapes Found in California Storage Unit

📰 📅 2024 Report: A father in California, USA, discovered unreleased Michael Jackson recordings while sorting through an abandoned storage unit once owned by producer Bryan Loren. The tapes feature 12 tracks from 1989-1991, including rare collaborations and Jackson discussing his music. The estimated value is in the seven-digit range.

Story and images: 🔗 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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