7 of the Most Valuable Appraisals Ever on Antiques Roadshow
Whether you’re an avid thrifter and antiques expert or simply someone plugged in to the pop culture zeitgeist, it’s almost certain that you’ve heard of “Antiques Roadshow.”
The premise is simple: Everyday individuals bring in their heirlooms, and experts discuss the provenance, history — and perhaps most importantly — value that these items might hold. For fans of both the TV show and antiques alike, we took a look at some of the priciest items ever appraised on “Antiques Roadshow.”
Check Out: 8 Collectibles Popular Among Gen Z Expected To Soar in Value Before the End of 2026
Grow Rich: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too
1. 1914 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch
In a 2004 appraisal conducted by Paul Hartquist of Hartquist Jewelers, a guest was absolutely floored when their 1914 Patek Philippe pocket watch, handed down to them by their great-grandfather, was appraised at ~$250,000 — particularly since the guest had previously received a price estimate of $6,000 from another appraiser.
Described as “the finest watch I’ve ever held in my hand” by Hartquist and coming with its box and accessories, this particular watch actually sold at a Sothesby’s auction for $1,541,212 in 2006.
2. 1904 Diego Revera ‘El Abanil’ Oil Panting
Art expert Colleene Fesko of Colleene Fesko Works of Art was delighted to appraise an “Antiques Roadshow” guest’s original 1904 oil painting by a young Diego Rivera, an important Latin-American artist of his era.
The guest was shocked when Fesko appraised the “El Abanil” work, being lovingly restored, at a value of between $800,000 to $1 million in 2012. That estimate was later revised upward in 2018 based on market conditions and other considerations to a range of $1.2 million to $2.2 million.
3. Alexander Calder Mobile circa 1950
A guest claimed their aunt had received this Alexander Calder mobile in exchange for a needlepoint pillow representing his aesthetic — from the famous sculptor himself, in appreciation, no less. Expert Chris Kennedy of DESIGNbase was happy to inform the owner of a consensus appraisal between $400,000 (auction) and $1 million (retail) in 2010.
“Not bad for a pillow!” Kennedy quipped after witnessing the guest’s very pleased reaction to the appraisal.
Those figures have more recently been updated to double the valuation, to $800,000 at auction or $1,000,000 at retail.
4. Navajo Ute First Phase Blanket circa 1840-1860
Even though “Antiques Roadshow” appraiser Donald Ellis (Donald Ellis Gallery) couldn’t verify the guest's claim that this blanket was given to his grandmother’s foster father by famed frontiersman Kit Carson, the Navajo Ute — or “first phase” — blanket was still a treasured item.
The blanket in question was made by the Navajo for Ute chiefs, with its linear design signaling its provenance from the mid-19th century. It was constructed with expensive indigo dyes and of handwoven wool — with minor repairs enacted with raveled bayeta. Ellis appraised the blanket at $350,000 to $500,000 in value as of 2001.
In later years, that valuation soared even further — between $750,000 to $1 million as of 2016, and more recently to a range of between $1.5 million to $2 million in 2021.
Even More Amazing Antique Finds
Other items appraised on “Antiques Roadshow” for some of the highest values include:
Qianlong Jade Collection from Qing Dynasty: Appraised by James Callahan of Tremont Auctions at a value of $710,000 to $1.07 million in 2009.
1871-1872 Boston Red Stockings archive cards: Appraised at $1 million in insurance value by Leila Dunbar in 2014.
1971 Rolex Oyster Cosmograph (with documentation) Appraised at an auction value of between $500,000 and $700,000 by Peter Planes of Luxe Auctioneers in 2019.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: