1. 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.

Full story and images: 🔗 The Thaiger

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2. Wizard of Oz Wonder—$1.2 Million for Iconic Film Dress Found in Trash Bag

📽️ 📅 2021 Report: In the U.S., Washington, D.C., a rare dress worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz—thought to be lost for nearly 50 years—was discovered at a university. It was found inside a trash bag in a box during a search conducted by a Theater Department staff member. Estimated as priceless due to its cultural significance and rarity as an iconic movie artifact, the dress was reportedly valued by specialists (after this video) between $800,000 and $1.2 million. Full story about the dress's discovery in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Inside Edition / YouTube

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3. Barn Art Treasure—Millions for Rare Art Rescued from Dumpster

📽️ 📅 2022 Report: In 2017, a mechanic in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA, uncovered a collection of artworks by Francis Hines, an obscure artist, during a barn cleanout. Initially discarded in a dumpster, the artworks—now valued at millions—were saved and exhibited. Experts consider the collection priceless due to its rarity. Full story in a four-minute video.

Video: 🔗 CBS Sunday Morning / YouTube

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4. Sports Card Stash—$1 Million for 100-Year-Old Cards Found in Attic Trash Bag

📰 📅 2016 Report: In the USA, seven exceptionally rare T206 Ty Cobb baseball cards, known as 'The Lucky 7 Find,' were discovered in a torn paper bag in an attic—originally mistaken for trash. These cards, featuring Ty Cobb with a unique 'Ty Cobb Tobacco' back, represent a significant find due to their scarcity and their connection to early 20th-century baseball history. Estimated at $1 million, their immense value is underscored by their rarity and Ty Cobb's historical significance in baseball lore.

Full story and images: 🔗 PSA

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5. Ancient Treasure—$930,000 for Rare Chinese Statue Found in Dumpster and Stored in Garage

📰 📽️ 📅 2023 Report: In Michigan, USA, a rare early Chinese statue—discovered in a dumpster and later stored in a garage—astonished bidders by fetching $930,000 at auction.

Full story, images, and video: 🔗 DuMouchelles

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6. Teapot Treasure—$800,000 for Historic Teapot Bought Online for $20

📰 📅 2018 Report: In Salisbury, UK, a rare American teapot—reportedly nearly discarded—was purchased for $20 in an online sale before fetching over $800,000 at auction. Made in the 1760s by John Bartlam, this piece is the oldest known American teapot.

Full story and images: 🔗 The New York Times

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7. Dylan Drafts—$508,000 for 1965 Song Lyrics Rescued from Trash in New Jersey

📰 📅 2025 Report: In the USA, early typewritten drafts of Bob Dylan’s 1965 song Mr. Tambourine Man sold for $508,000 (£417,000) at auction. The drafts, featuring three versions of the lyrics with annotations, were discarded by Dylan in 1964 at journalist Al Aronowitz’s New Jersey home. Rescued from the trash, they became a music treasure.

Full story and images: 🔗 The Guardian

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8. Vintage Tech—$200,000 for Apple 1 Computer Found in Garage Junk

📰 📅 2015 Report: In the USA, a woman unknowingly discarded an Apple 1 computer—one of only 200 ever made—at a Silicon Valley recycling firm. This rare tech artifact, found in a garage, was later auctioned for $200,000. 

Full story and images: 🔗 USA Today

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9. Tech Treasure—$200,000 for Steve Jobs' Birkenstocks Found in Dumpster

📰 📅 2022 Report: In the USA, Steve Jobs' well-worn 1970s/80s Birkenstocks, accompanied by an NFT, fetched $218,750 at auction, setting a record for sandals. Discovered in the trash, they're a rare piece of tech history with a modern twist.

Full story and images: 🔗 CNN

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10. Doll Discovery—$66,000 for Dog-Chewed Toy Narrowly Escaping Trash

📽️ 📅 2023 Report: In the UK, a century-old doll, despite damage including a dog-chewed leg, fetched $66,000 at auction. Initially destined for the trash, this rare doll—noted for its unique size and detailed craftsmanship—drew robust bidder interest and fetched twice its estimated price, showcasing the unpredictable value of seemingly forgotten items. Full story and images shared in a one-minute video.

Video: 🔗 WION / YouTube

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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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