12 Garage Sale Finds That Are Now Worth Thousands
Some ordinary items bought at garage sales for just a few dollars have turned out to be rare and worth thousands today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Garage sales often seem like places for low-cost secondhand goods, but some shoppers have discovered rare and valuable items hiding in plain sight. These finds include collectibles, artwork, and vintage items that later sold for impressive amounts. This list looks at 12 real garage sale discoveries that ended up being worth thousands of dollars.
1. Original Copy of the Declaration of Independence
John Trumbull on Wikimedia Commons
In 1989, a man in Pennsylvania bought an old picture frame for $4 at a garage sale. Hidden behind the artwork was a rare original printing of the Declaration of Independence from 1776. It turned out to be one of only 24 known copies. It was later sold at auction for over $2 million.
2. Jackson Pollock Painting
FMSky on Wikimedia Commons
In 2007, a woman in Arizona bought a group of paintings at a garage sale for $5. One turned out to be an original work by Jackson Pollock, a famous abstract artist. Experts verified the painting, and it was estimated to be worth up to $50 million. The find drew national media attention.
3. Chinese Ceramics Bowl
Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. on Wikimedia Commons
In 2007, a small white ceramic bowl with simple designs was bought at a garage sale in New York for $3. It turned out to be a rare Chinese Ding bowl from the Song Dynasty, over 1,000 years old. The buyer had it checked by experts. It was later sold at auction for over $2 million.
4. Vintage Nintendo Games
Thomas Bresson on Wikimedia Commons
Old video games often turn up at garage sales, but some titles are now scarce. In 2019, a sealed copy of the Nintendo game “Kid Icarus” was bought for just a few dollars. It was later sold at auction for over $10,000 due to its condition and rarity. Collectors look for factory-sealed original versions.
5. Andy Warhol Sketch
Pedro Ribeiro Simões on Wikimedia Commons
A man in Las Vegas bought a drawing at a garage sale for $5, thinking it was just a print. Later, experts identified it as an original sketch by pop artist Andy Warhol from his early years. It was valued at over $2 million. The owner kept it after learning of its worth.
6. Vintage Rolex Watch
Thierry Mostra-store on Wikimedia Commons
In several cases, people have bought old watches for under $50, only to find they were vintage Rolex models. One man purchased a Rolex Daytona for $35 in the 1980s and kept it in a drawer. When he had it appraised, it turned out to be worth over $700,000 due to its rare design. The model had become extremely collectible.
7. 1959 Barbie Doll
Nelson Tiffany, Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia Commons
An original 1959 Barbie doll in good condition was found at a garage sale for $10. It was the first version ever made, with distinct facial features and a black-and-white swimsuit. Vintage Barbie collectors pay high prices for early models. This one later sold for over $25,000 at auction.
8. Rare Comic Books
Pouazity3 on Wikimedia Commons
Old comic books are often sold in boxes for a few dollars each. One person found a copy of Action Comics No. 1, the first appearance of Superman, among a stack at a garage sale. Though it was not in perfect condition, it still sold for over $100,000. Early comic books can be extremely valuable, depending on the issue and condition.
9. Concert Posters from the 1960s
Ronald Saunders on Wikimedia Commons
A box of rolled-up posters was bought for $20 at a garage sale. Inside were original concert posters from bands like The Grateful Dead, The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix. These posters are now considered collector items and sold for several thousand dollars each. The entire collection earned over $30,000.
10. Vintage Pyrex Dishes
Cjp24 on Wikimedia Commons
Colorful Pyrex kitchenware from the 1950s and 1960s has become highly collectible. One garage sale shopper bought a set of rare pink “Gooseberry” mixing bowls for $10. The set was in near-perfect condition. It was later sold online for over $1,500.
11. Rare Baseball Cards
Fma12 on Wikimedia Commons
Old baseball card collections sometimes show up in garage sales, often in forgotten boxes. A woman in California bought a collection for $10 and discovered a 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card inside. Even in worn condition, the card was worth tens of thousands. Graded copies can reach into the hundreds of thousands.
12. First Edition Books
Suzelfe on Wikimedia Commons
A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was found at a yard sale in the UK. The book had the original 1997 print information and was purchased for just a few dollars. These rare first editions are now valued between $40,000 and $90,000, depending on condition. The buyer had no idea of the value at the time.