1. Masterpiece Marvel—$450 Million for Da Vinci Painting Found at Estate Sale

📽️ 📅 2018 Report: In New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, a long-lost painting purchased at an estate sale for under $10,000 in 2005 was later revealed as Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi. The painting, one of only 15 by da Vinci, sold at auction in New York in 2017 for $450.3 million, becoming the most expensive artwork ever sold. Full story in an eight-minute video.

█ Full story: 🔗 Robb Report / YouTube

▌Related: Tools • Lists • Art

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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.

█ Full story: 🔗 ABC News Australia / YouTube

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3. Masterpiece Find—$50 Million for Sketch Bought at U.S. Estate Sale for $30

📰 📅 2021 Report: In 2016, a simple sketch purchased for just $30 at an estate sale in Massachusetts, USA, was identified in 2021 as a potential masterpiece by Albrecht Dürer, a renowned German Renaissance artist. Now estimated to be worth up to $50 million USD, the drawing—titled 'The Virgin and Child With a Flower on a Grassy Bank'—is considered a rare preparatory work by the artist. This exceptional discovery underscores the unpredictable value of art and its universal appeal.

█ Full story and images: 🔗 Smithsonian Magazine

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4. Van Gogh Marvel—$40 Million Potential for 'Priceless' Masterpiece Found in Norwegian Attic

📽️ 📅 2013 Report: A valuable treasure emerged from a Norwegian attic—Van Gogh's priceless Sunset at Montmajour. Comparable to works auctioned for $40 million, this masterpiece from his Arles period marked a significant discovery. Reportedly, it had once been dismissed as a fake and was later found in the estate of an art collector. Its rediscovery further enriched Van Gogh's enduring legacy. Full story in a two-minute video.

█ Full story: 🔗 CNN Business / YouTube

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5. 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. Full story and images ☟

█ Full story and images: 🔗 Daily Mail

▌Related: Tools • Lists • Antique

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6. Portolan Prize—$7.5 Million for Rare 14th-Century Map Found at Estate Auction

📰 📅 2023 Report: In the U.S., a rare 14th-century portolan chart was discovered at an estate sale auction. Initially purchased for $239,000, it was estimated to be worth $7.5 million—making it a priceless maritime artifact.

█ Full story and images: 🔗 Smithsonian Magazine

▌Related: Tools • Lists • Book & Script

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7. Superman Sensation—$3.2 Million for 1938 Comic Found in Estate Sale Chest

📰 📅 2014 Report: In the USA, a rare 1938 Superman comic, unearthed from a cedar chest during an estate sale, fetched $3.2 million at auction. Its value was highlighted by its rarity—one of the few surviving copies from an original run of 200,000—and its exceptional condition, earning a 9.0 rating on the CGC scale.

█ Full story and images: 🔗 BBC

▌Related: Tools • Lists • Comic

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8. Star Wars Surprise—$3 Million for Movie Model Found in Garage

📽️ 📅 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. Found in the estate of a visual effects artist, this treasure sold for over $3 million—underscoring its rarity and significance in film history. Full story in a one-minute video.

█ Full story: 🔗 TODAY / YouTube

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9. Star Trek Stunners—$1.7 Million for Iconic Props Found in Estate

📰 📅 2024 Report: A pair of iconic Star Trek props, once used by William Shatner, was unveiled after being hidden for 50 years. Shatner's phaser and communicator were expected to sell for $100,000 to $200,000 each but reportedly fetched nearly $1.7 million combined. Discovered by the descendants of a Hollywood prop veteran.

█ Full story and images: 🔗 Barron's

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10. Amber Treasure—€1 Million ($1.1 Million) Value for Doorstop Discovery

📰 📅 2024 Report: In Colți, Romania, a descendant inherited the estate of an elderly woman who had unknowingly used a 7.7-lb amber nugget—valued at €1 million ($1.1 million)—as a doorstop for decades. Originally found in a stream, the rare amber piece, one of the world's largest, was later identified as a national treasure.

█ Full story and images: 🔗 EL PAIS

▌Related: Tools • Lists • Jewelry

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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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█ A-Z // Top 40 Topics - [ i ]

Stuff & Spots: 120 Legends

1. Antique
2. Art
3. Attic
4. Auction
5. Barn Find
6. Basement
7. Bizarre
8. Book & Script
9. Box & Trunk
10. Camera & Photo
11. Car & Motorcycle
12. Closet & Cabinet
13. Clothing & Fashion
14. Coin & Banknote
15. Collectible
16. Comic
17. Doll & Bear
18. Drawer & Dresser
19. Dumpster & Trash
20. Electronic & Tech
21. Estate Sale
22. Flea Market
23. Hidden in Plain Sight
24. Jewelry, Gem, Watch
25. Metal Detecting
26. Music, Vinyl, Memorabilia
27. Musical Instrument
28. Online
29. Pottery, Glass, Ceramic
30. Random
31. Shed & Garage
32. Shelf & Mantel
33. Shipwreck
34. Showbiz
35. Sports
36. Storage Locker
37. Thrifting
38. Toy
39. Video Game
40. Yard Sale