Unexpected Wonders: Unbelievable Finds in the Most Surprising Places

4. Old Comic Books Discovered in a Virginia Closet

Where: Virginia, USA Discovered in the 1980s; Estimated value: $3.5 million* Michael Rorrer came into possession of their family home in Virginia following the death of his great aunt. When he left to clean the house and maybe list it for sale, he didn't have high expectations. Instead, he came found his great aunt's husband's antique collection of comic books.

Advertisement

Old Comic Books Discovered in Virginia Closet ©Shutterstock/RajKa00 The Archie comics weren't just any old pile of junk; in a 2012 auction, half of the collection brought in an incredible $3.5 million (£2.7 million), and the remaining comics were also for sale. Even though Rorrer might not even recall him, his great aunt's husband surely contributed to the quality of his existence.

5. Normandy's Buried French Gold

Location: France's Normandy Year Found: 2016 Estimated Value: $4 million* A Frenchman did not anticipate discovering a treasure hidden in his family's Normandy home when he inherited it. However, the discovery of a peculiar-looking tinplate box securely bolted behind a piece of furniture altered his life. When he opened the package, he discovered gold and an old-fashioned whisky bottle inside.

Normandy's French Gold Buried @AFP/scmp.com Not only that, but the Frenchman also found other gold bars concealed among the booze and further gold bars scattered about the home. He was standing atop an intricate assemblage of hundreds of gold bars and coins totaling more than 220 pounds when the rather literal treasure hunt came to an end. The collection brought a staggering €3.5 million ($4 million/£3.1 million) at auction.