1. Vase Victory—£43 Million ($69 Million) for 1740s Chinese Treasure Found on Shelf in Home

📽️ 📅 2010 Report: In London, UK, a Chinese vase from the 1740s—unexpectedly discovered by a woman and her son on a bookcase during a house clearance at a deceased relative’s home—sold for an astonishing £43 million at auction, approximately $69 million based on exchange rates at the time. Full story in an four-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Channel 4 News / YouTube

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2. Antique Elegance—£14.7 Million ($18.7 Million) for Rare Vases Found on Mantel

📰 📽️ 📅 2017 Report: In the UK, a pair of overlooked 18th-century Qianlong vases on a mantelpiece fetched an astonishing £14.7 million ($18.7 million in 2023 rates). Inherited and undervalued, these rare vases hold significant historical and artistic value. 

Full story, video, and images: 🔗 Christie's

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3. Ceramic Cache—$9 Million for Vase Found in Pet-Filled Home

📰 📅 2020 Report: A Qianlong dynasty vase (1735–1799)—a true treasure—was discovered in a pet-filled home in Central Europe and sold for over $9 million at auction. This rare vase, found in an open cupboard, is distinguished by its intricate design and technical mastery. Remarkably, it had previously been sold for just £44 (equivalent to around $1,500 in 2024, adjusted for inflation). The vase’s survival in such a bustling household adds to the extraordinary tale of this hidden treasure.

Full story and images: 🔗 Smithsonian Magazine

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4. Shelf Surprise—$556,000 for Rare 1733 Franklin Almanac Found in Library

📰 📅 2009 Report: In Pennsylvania, USA, a library found a rare 1733 edition of Poor Richard’s Almanack on its shelf. Initially thought to be a reprint, it was authenticated and sold for $556,500.

Details and images: 🔗 Will Stern / X

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5. Austen Anthology—$481,000 for Priceless Music Book Discovered on UK Shelf

📰 📅 2023 Report: A long-lost music book, once owned by Jane Austen, was discovered on a distant relative's shelf at Chawton House, UK. Believed to have been lost between 1978 and 1987, this 200+-year-old treasure contains rare musical notations by Austen herself—highlighting her creative pursuits beyond literature. The discovery has underscored the book's historical and monetary value, estimated at around $481,000 USD.

Full story and images: 🔗 Ludwig Van

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6. Olympic Medals Cache—$162,000 for 1904 Medals Found in Bookcase

📰 📅 2016 Report: In a remarkable discovery in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA, two 1904 Olympic medals—long thought lost—were found at the bottom of a bookcase in a farmhouse. Awarded in a historic Olympic golf competition, these medals were later reported by various media sources to have sold at auction for $162,517. Priceless due to their historical significance, they were uncovered in a former resident's home, highlighting a significant chapter in Olympic golf history.

Full story and images: 🔗 Golf Digest

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7. Jumble Sale Jackpot—£28,000 ($35,000) for 25p (30-cent) Harry Potter First Edition

📰 📅 2019 Report: In Staffordshire, England, an office worker unknowingly bought a rare first-edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hardback for 25p at a jumble sale. One of only 500 printed in 1997, the ultra-rare book sat on her shelf for two decades before being identified and auctioned for £28,000 ($35,000).

Full story and images: 🔗 Devon Live

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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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