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

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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

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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

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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

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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: 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

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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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