13 Lucky People Who Stumbled Upon Real Treasures

In the past, objects — including jewelry and clothing — were cherished far more than they are today. Nowadays, many of these items are often donated or discarded without a second thought. Yet, hidden among them can be valuable treasures waiting to be discovered. Take a look at what others have found — you might just have a similar gem tucked away in your attic or on a thrift store shelf nearby.

1. “Got this beautiful bracelet at a thrift for $15, took it to a jeweler today. He said it tested as 14k gold and the diamonds are real. Valued at a minimum of $500.”

2. “I found this beautiful glass at the thrift store today. Can somebody tell me how to find out if it is made out of real crystal and gold?”

• “I think this is Tiffin-Franciscan’s Minton pattern. If so, it’s real crystal and gold. Not antique, the pattern was made 1930 to 1967.” © Sweet_Kaleidoscope13 / Reddit

3. “My dad died, this is what I found in his house and I have no idea what it was.”

• “Japanese Inro box. Would have hung from a belt using a small carved netsuke. Bronze fittings gold lacquer decorations on the exterior. Early 20th century I’d guess.” © antinous24 / Reddit

4. “Left behind by the previous owners, at my parents’ house. Mom originally thought it was fake and was going to give it to the grandkids for dress-up. Turns out, it’s gold with diamonds.”

5. “Cool little find at my local antique shop.”

6. “Found this in an elevator shaft in an old hotel in Ireland.”

• “I restore these cash registers as a hobby! What you’ve got is a National Cash Register from around the 1910s. They’re worth a couple hundred bucks in that condition, mostly because they can still be restored despite how bad it looks.” © ElbowDeepinanImgur / Reddit

7. “Someone gave me this fork and knife set years ago. Just pulled out of storage.”

8. “I bought a taped-shut antique chocolate tin at my local Goodwill for $2. Got it open and found these beautiful 19th century marbles (and a couple more modern ones) inside!”

9. “Anyone know anything about this box I inherited?”

• “It’s a bronze casket by Austrian sculpture Gustav Gurschner.” © senor-fantastico / Reddit
• “Sold for $21,250.00 in the Sotheby’s auction.” © letsgocactus / Reddit

10. “My Grandad bought this in the late 70s and tucked it away for years.”

• “Hi, I have been an antique dealer in Canada for over 20 years. Anything made by Martin Brothers is highly sought after. My gut feel on your piece is that it would bring somewhere in the $2,000–4,000 range at auction.” © No_Acanthaceae1454 / Reddit

11. “Found this in my garden while digging, what is it?”

• “Looks like a vesta case, match holder with striker.” © OwineeniwO / Reddit

12. “Found while clearing out my mother’s things. None of us 3 daughters knew it existed. The handwriting is my grandmother’s.”

13. “Whoa! 10k gold ring for $1.29 is such a way to start the day.”

• It’s a buckle ring! They were worn in the Victorian era to show enduring love and fidelity in mourning, forever attachment to someone who died. Often had a name or date inside. Great find! Bedlamkills / Reddit

Stay tuned and don’t miss our other article, where we’ve rounded up some truly curious objects — ones that are definitely not what they seem at first glance.