10 of the most valuable Antiques Roadshow finds

Appraised in New York in 2014, this oil painting by Joseph Kleitsch was dated around 1925 and originally purchased for approximately $100. Fine art appraiser Debra Force gave the owner quite the surprise when she offered an estimated gallery price of $500,000.

A woman brought a classic oil painting by American artist Robert Henri to the show's stop in San Diego in 2010. She explained that it was given to her by her father and that the woman in the painting is her grandmother. Appraiser Peter M. Fairbanks told her that the family treasure should be insured for $250,000–$300,000, a total that was later raised to $500,000–$700,000 in 2016.

A man was in for a surprise when he brought a painting of his great-grandfather, Lea Febiger, to Antiques Roadshow's 2014 stop in Birmingham. The piece was done by a friend of Febiger's, artist Frederic Remington, and included a letter from the painter to the subject. Appraiser Colleene Fesko told the owner his piece would likely sell for between $600,000 and $800,000 at auction.

A participant in Antiques Roadshow's 2010 show in Miami Beach brought in a mid-20th century mobile by American sculptor Alexander Calder. Appraiser Chris Kennedy told the owner that her family heirloom could auction for between $400,000 and $600,000, and even retail for $1 million when Calder is trendy.

A man brought in a piece of history to Antiques Roadshow when the show stopped in Tucson, Ariz., in 2001. "I don't know an awful lot about it, except that it was given by Kit Carson, who ever–... I'm sure everybody knows in his history. Given to the foster father of my grandmother," he said of the 19th century Navajo blanket in his possession. Appraiser Donald Ellis gave the owner a shock when he informed him that the item was valued at $350,000–$500,000 — a total that was raised to $750,000–$1 million in 2016.

In Raleigh, N.C., in 2009, a woman brought in a stunning collection of Qianlong Jade, dating back to the 18th century. Appraiser James Callahan gave the owner her first idea of just how much the items were worth, offering an appraisal of $710,000–$1,070,000 at auction.

In Corpus Christi, Tex., in 2012, a man brought in a painting by Diego Rivera, which had been hanging behind a door in a family home. Dated to 1904, El Albañil was authenticated and appraised by Colleene Fesko, who put the value at $800,000–$1 million.

A woman brought some very special sports memorabilia to the Antiques Roadshow in New York in 2014. She explained to appraiser Leila Dunbar that her great-great-grandmother had a boarding house in Boston, where the Boston baseball team stayed in 1871. That relationship resulted in a family heirloom of original Boston Red Stockings baseball cards and a letter from the first lineup, a collection appraised at $1 million.

Antiques Roadshow saw one if its most valuable lots in Tulsa in 2011. A man said that he had been collecting rhinoceros horn carvings for decades and had a particular affinity for a certain cup, going on to purchase its full set. Made around 1700, the ornate collection was originally purchased by the owner for approximately $5,000. Appraiser Lark E. Mason gave the owner a significant margin when he appraised the set at $1 million–$1.5 million.

A modern pocket watch from Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe can already fetch quite a pretty penny. But, a pristine timepiece from the brand dating back to 1914? That's Antiques Roadshow gold. The owner brought the treasure, which was handed down from his great-grandfather, to the show's stop in St. Paul, Minn., in 2004. Appraiser Paul Hartquist estimated the auction value at $250,000, a total that was first increased in 2016 to $1.5 million and later updated to $2 million–$3 million in 2018.