1. Lost & Found—$1 Billion Painting of Mona Lisa Found in Box

📽️ 📅 2024 Report: In 1911, a handyman in Paris stole Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from a famed museum and hid it for two years before it was recovered in a box in his apartment. Originally estimated to be worth millions, the painting is now believed to exceed $1 billion in value. Owned by the people of France, it remains a priceless treasure. Full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Bloomberg / YouTube

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2. Ruby Rescue—$32 Million for 1939 Wizard of Oz Slippers Recovery

📽️ 📅 2024 Report: In Grand Rapids, Minnesota (USA), a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz—stolen in a 2005 museum heist—was recovered in an FBI sting. Estimated at over $3 million, the slippers later sold for $32 million (after this video was filmed), including fees. Originally on loan from a private collector, the iconic shoes were buried for years in a backyard plastic box. Full story in a six-minute video.

Video: 🔗 PBS NewsHour / YouTube

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3. Shoebox Surprise—$19 Million for Rare Vase Discovered in Attic

📰 📅 2018 Report: In France, a rare Qing dynasty vase was discovered in a family’s attic—hidden in a shoebox and inherited unnoticed for decades. Initially estimated at €500,000 to €700,000, it fetched a stunning €16.2 million ($19 million) at auction in Paris, far exceeding expectations. This vase, the only known example of its kind, dates back to the 18th century during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, making it exceptionally rare.

Full story and images: 🔗 CNN

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4. Iconic Movie Prop—$3 Million for Star Wars Model Found in Garage Box

📽️ 📅 2023 Report: In the US, a rare miniature X-wing model from Star Wars was discovered in a garage, hidden inside a box of packing peanuts. Once owned by a visual effects artist, this treasure was sold for more than $3M—highlighting its rarity and exceptional significance in film history. Full story in a one-minute video.

Video: 🔗 TODAY / YouTube

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5. Timepiece Treasure—$3 Million for Rare Patek Philippe Watch Found in US Safety Deposit Box

📰 📽️ 📅 2023 Report: In St. Paul, Minnesota, a Patek Philippe pocket watch from 1914—originally valued at $6,000—was inherited from the former owner of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. This rare and intricately designed watch was later reappraised at $2–$3 million. Discovered in a safe deposit box, it is considered a grail among timepieces.

Story, images, and video: 🔗 PBS Antiques Roadshow

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6. Hockey Card Jackpot—$2.5 Million for Unopened 1979 Case Found in Basement

📰 📽️ 📅 2024 Report: A family in Saskatchewan, Canada, sold a rare unopened 1979 hockey card case for $2.5 million (USD) after a prior $3.7 million sale fell through. Found in a basement, the case may contain 25-27 Wayne Gretzky rookie cards—potentially worth over $200,000 each.

Full story, images, and video: 🔗 CBC

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7. Bank Vault Bonanza—$2 Million for Rare Gold Coins Found in Inherited Family Box

📰 📅 2024 Report: In Philadelphia, USA, a family discovered their inherited collection of rare 19th-century gold coins stored in a safety deposit box within a bank vault for decades. Valued at $2 million, the collection far exceeded the original $50,000 estimate. Among the coins, which included Liberty Head and Indian Head gold dollars, some were graded as the finest known.

Full story and images: 🔗 Daily Mail

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8. Star Trek Surprise—$1.7 Million for Iconic Props Found in Box

📰 📅 2024 Report: In Hollywood, California, USA, a pair of iconic Star Trek props used by William Shatner was unveiled after being hidden for 50 years. The items—Shatner’s ‘phaser’ and ‘communicator’—were initially expected to fetch between $100,000 and $200,000 each. Reportedly after this article’s publication, the phaser fetched $910,000, while the communicator sold for $780,000—nearly $1.7 million combined. They were discovered by descendants of a Hollywood prop veteran, stored in a box.

Full story and images: 🔗 Barron's

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9. Storage Locker Find—$1.2 Million for Ali’s Thrilla in Manila Trunks

📰 📅 2025 Report: Muhammad Ali’s Thrilla in Manila trunks sold for $1.2 million at auction, decades after being discovered in a storage locker. First auctioned for under $1,000 in 1988, they changed hands multiple times, with a prior sale reaching $155,350 in 2012.

Full story and image: 🔗 cllct

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10. Daytona Discovery—$700,000 for Rare Rolex Hidden in Deposit Box

📰 📽️ 📅 2019 Report: A rare Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona, purchased in 1975 for $345.97 by a U.S. Air Force veteran, was kept in a safety deposit box. The unworn 1971 model, complete with its original documentation and box, was valued at $500,000–$700,000 during an appraisal that floored the owner—literally.

Story, images, and video: 🔗 PBS Antiques Roadshow

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11. Dime Discovery—$506,250 for Rare 'No S' 1975 Roosevelt Unearthed in Ohio Vault

📰 📅 2024 Report: An Ohio, USA, family recently auctioned an extremely rare 1975 Roosevelt dime with a missing 'S' mint mark for $506,250. Hidden in a bank deposit box for over four decades, this coin, originally purchased for $18,200, is one of only two known examples. Found by three sisters who inherited it, the coin was seen as a financial asset.

Full story and image: 🔗 AP News

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12. Shoeless Joe Gem—$492,000 for 1910 Baseball Card Found in Lunchbox

📰 📅 2020 Report: In North Carolina, USA, a rare 1910 Shoeless Joe Jackson baseball card was discovered in a metal lunch pail inside a law office. Originally part of a family collection, the card sold at auction for $492,000. Its value was uncovered after a decade of research.

Full story and image: 🔗 ESPN

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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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