Antiques Roadshow has certainly uncovered some surprising and unusual finds, but this one might just take the cake for the oddest discovery.
Since the show’s debut in the UK back in 1979, experts have highlighted that some old antiques, often left forgotten in attics, could actually be quite valuable. A notable instance was in 2013, when an original painting by Anthony van Dyck was identified.
Father Jamie MacLeod had bought the artwork in England for just £400, primarily for its frame, but it turned out to be valued at approximately $525,000.
The program made its way to American audiences in 1997, and soon people in the US realized their seemingly worthless items could be worth a fortune.
In 2004, an antique pocket watch created in 1904 by the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe was appraised for an incredible $1.5 million.
Jumping ahead seven years, another remarkable find was a set of ceremonial cups made from rhinoceros horn, which also brought in $1 million.
However, not everyone is sitting on a potential jackpot, as one UK resident found out when he presented an unusual, rather stiff item for appraisal.
The individual brought in two items for evaluation. The first was a ladies’ cigarette holder with a ‘canary yellow enamel case,’ which he recalled being given as a child.
In conversation with host Penny Britain, he mentioned, “It was given to me by a very old lady when I was about seven and I remember to this day she was Austrian and she gave it to me in a cardboard box full of trinkets.”
Britain verified it was Austrian, dating it to around 1900, and valued it at £100, or about $131.
The second item, however, was a challenge for Britain to appraise.
As he removed it from his pocket, he asked: “Could you tell me, is that worth £100 and made in Austria?”
As Britain burst into laughter, he leaned in and whispered, “It’s a mummified dog’s willy.”
Britain humorously responded: “A mummified dog’s willy. And I’m holding it!”
The audience erupted in laughter before Britain remarked, “I’m rendered entirely speechless.”
And who wouldn’t be in such a situation?
But why does he own a mummified dog’s willy?
He explained, “It’s been passed down the family literally for years,”
“This bit’s a bit gnawed because the puppy got hold of it and my father, when it came to him, wanted to throw it away and I said, ‘You can’t because it’s so extraordinary’.”
When he inquired if it was worth £100, Britain chuckled: “I don’t think so.”
Perhaps taking it to Pawn Stars could yield a price!