For over 25 years, Antiques Roadshow has transformed everyday objects and forgotten family heirlooms into extraordinary discoveries, revealing treasures worth fortunes. From rare watches to historical art pieces, the show has unearthed items worth millions, leaving both owners and viewers in awe. Here are 15 of the most valuable items ever appraised on the show, illustrating how one person’s old possessions can become another’s wealth.
Patek Philippe Pocket Watch: In 2004, a man in St. Paul, Minnesota, brought in a 1914 Patek Philippe pocket watch, originally appraised at $250,000. By 2018, its value had soared to between $2 million and $3 million. Passed down from his great-grandfather, the watch’s intricate craftsmanship and pristine condition made it an exceptional find.
Navajo Ute First Phase Blanket: At a 2001 taping in Tucson, Arizona, a man presented a rare Navajo blanket from 1850, once owned by frontiersman Kit Carson. Initially valued at $350,000 to $500,000, the blanket’s worth was later revised to between $1.5 million and $2 million in 2021, highlighting its rarity and historical significance in Native American textile art.
Chinese Rhinoceros Horn Cups: In 2011, a set of late 17th or early 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn cups was appraised at $1 million to $1.5 million in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The rarity of rhinoceros horns and the exquisite craftsmanship made these cups a rare and valuable treasure.
Daytona Rolex Watch: A 1973 Daytona Rolex watch brought to the show in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2015 was appraised for $100,000. Initially purchased for just $543, the watch’s rarity, solid gold case, and black enamel bezel contributed to its remarkable value.
Boston Red Stockings’ Archive: In 2014, a woman presented a 1871-1872 Boston Red Stockings memorabilia archive in New York. Appraised at $1 million, the collection, including some of the earliest baseball cards and a letter from the team’s original lineup, provided a rare look at the history of America’s pastime.
Tiffany Studios Lamps: Two Tiffany Studios lamps, brought to Antiques Roadshow in Palm Springs, California, in 2008, were appraised at $130,000. Later revised to $170,000 in 2021, these early 1900s pieces are valued for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Diego Rivera’s ‘El Albañil’ Painting: In 2012, a man in Corpus Christi, Texas, brought a 1904 oil painting by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. Appraised at $800,000 to $1 million, its historical significance and the artist’s prominence increased its value to between $1.2 million and $2.2 million over time.
Qianlong Jade Collection: A stunning 18th-century jade collection from the Qing dynasty was appraised in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2009. Worth between $710,000 and $1.07 million, its value stemmed from the exceptional quality of the jade and its cultural significance.
Frederic Remington Portrait and Letter: A man in Birmingham, Alabama, brought a portrait of his great-grandfather painted by Frederic Remington in 2014. The portrait and accompanying letter were appraised at $600,000 to $800,000, valued for Remington’s iconic status and the personal connection between artist and subject.
Alexander Calder Mobile: A mid-20th-century mobile by American sculptor Alexander Calder was brought to Antiques Roadshow in Miami in 2010. Originally appraised at $400,000 to $600,000, its value skyrocketed to $2 million by 2021, driven by the growing appreciation for Calder’s kinetic art.
German Violin Circa 1750: A vintage German violin, brought to Antiques Roadshow in Salt Lake City in 2016, was appraised at $10,000 to $15,000. Initially purchased for $600 in 1965, its value was later updated to $12,000 to $20,000, owing to its craftsmanship and historical importance.
Fabergé Flower: A Fabergé flower ornament, created for the Countess of Dudley in 1903, was appraised at over £1 million (approximately $1.27 million) on the BBC version of the show in 2002. Its rarity and ties to Russian imperial history made it one of the most coveted pieces on the show.
Leica Luxus II Camera: The Leica Luxus II, known as the “world’s rarest camera,” was appraised on the BBC Antiques Roadshow in 2001 for a staggering £1.7 million ($2.1 million). Only four were ever made, and its rarity combined with the Leica brand’s prestige made it a photographic treasure.
1937 Clyfford Still Oil Painting: A 1937 oil painting by abstract expressionist Clyfford Still was appraised at $500,000 in 2008. The piece’s rarity, as Still kept most of his paintings during his lifetime, made it an exceptional find for collectors.
Ángel Botello Oil Painting: An oil painting by Puerto Rican-Spanish artist Ángel Botello, brought to Antiques Roadshow in Santa Fe in 2022, was appraised for $100,000. This vibrant work, gifted to the guest’s family in the 1960s, reflects the increasing value of Botello’s early pieces in recent years.
These appraisals prove that seemingly ordinary objects can hold extraordinary value, changing the lives of their owners and inspiring curiosity about the hidden treasures that may be sitting in our own homes.
