ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

'Antiques Roadshow' guest gets huge appraisal for a wooden toy he bought for $6 at charity store

The guest who bought the item at a charity store had no idea that it was over 3,000 years old.
PUBLISHED JUN 28, 2025
Screenshot showing the expert, the item and the guest on the show (Cover image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)
Screenshot showing the expert, the item and the guest on the show (Cover image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)

The weirdest or the most insignificant things have the potential to fetch a big price on "Antiques Roadshow," even though the people who walk in with them might not expect that. One such guest was gobsmacked after finding out that his tiny charity store find was a 3,000-year-old artifact. Watch the video of the appraisal here.

The owner of a "baby rattle" brought the item to the BBC show's expert, who was astounded to see the condition of the item. Not only did he shed light on the incredible story of the item that the owner bought for £5 (~$6.8), but he also appraised its value to over a hundred times to £500 (~$680). The guest and his partner were left in shock after they heard the incredible story and value of the item. 

Screenshot showing the expert, the toy, and the guests on the show (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)
Screenshot showing the expert, the toy, and the guests on the show (Image source: Express.Co.UK | BBC Antiques Roadshow)

In the episode from the Black Country Museum in the West Midlands, U.K., the guest brought a small toy shaped in the form of a pig, without knowing much about it. The show's appraiser took the small toy into his hands, and after taking a closer look, he was sure of the item's great provenance. "So, this is a rattle, with little pebbles inside," he told the guest, shaking the toy. He then explained that it was probably buried with a child who died 3,000 years ago, given the markings and the make of the wooden toy. “That’s a long time ago,” the owner said in response.

Screenshot showing the expert, the toy, and the guests on the show (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)
Screenshot showing the expert, the toy, and the guests on the show (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)

The expert added that it was probably dug out of the earth during the Victorian period by some adventurers who were looking for artifacts. “Dug up by a Victorian adventurer and here it is. I guess it would have been 150 years ago when it was found. That’s when people were going in and digging things up like this," the appraiser explained. He then remarked how unreal the events would have been that led to the toy ending up in a charity shop. "And how much did you pay for it?" the appraiser asked the guest. The owner said that he probably paid a fiver (£5 or $6.8) for the item. The expert then shared that given the toy's condition, it would now be worth about £500 (~$680). “I mean 3,000 years old, I suppose it’s probably worth £500," he said.

Screenshot showing the details of the toy (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)
Screenshot showing the details of the toy (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)

The expert was visibly fascinated to learn that such an old item was discovered in a charity shop at the end of the day. “It’s got to be the oldest toy I think we’ve ever had on the Roadshow," the expert remarked. “Jeez, right,” the owner said in response with an unsure chuckle as his partner turned to the audience with a surprised look on her face. 

Screenshot showing the reaction of the guests to the appraisal (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)
Screenshot showing the reaction of the guests to the appraisal (Image source: Express.Co.UK/BBC Antiques Roadshow)

Thus, the appraisal marked yet another astounding discovery made on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, demonstrating how artifacts can be found even in the most unusual places and settings across the globe.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The player, Clint Ingalls' disastrous choice of letters gave him no chance in the end.
14 hours ago
The show's expert, Alan Fausel, was astonished by the fabulous Richard Cosway drawing.
15 hours ago
The high school teacher could barely contain her excitement after cracking the Bonus Round puzzle.
18 hours ago
The founders of Vade Nutrition couldn't the refuse the offer from Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez.
1 day ago
The creator claimed that the Costco avocado didn't feel or taste real, especially when compared to a ripe, organic one.
1 day ago
The player, Kenneth Blount-Hames, was stumped by a simple, everyday phrase in the final round.
1 day ago
The painting had been with the guest for 30 years, and she was curious about it.
2 days ago
It was hard for Harvey to digest what he was hearing from the senior players.
2 days ago
The best friends, Hanna Chung and Laura Tarpley, got tricked by just one word in the end.
3 days ago
The player, Shannon Hunt got the host excited before missing the puzzle by a few letters.
3 days ago
The founder of Hairfin managed to make it through the heckling to get a deal.
3 days ago
The player, Jeff Richardson put up a stunning performance to drive home a new car.
4 days ago
Since Kevin O'Leary made the offer just to mess with Corcoran, the deal hit the Shark where it hurts.
4 days ago
Harrison chose to pass on the most important item of the collection for a strange reason.
4 days ago
The contestant, Alexa Kalanz was doing well throughout the game despite a rough start.
4 days ago
Despite having just 25% ownership of her company, Meagan Bowman managed to bag a $400,000 deal.
5 days ago
In the end, Harrison felt like he hit the jackpot as he knew every collector would be after the item.
5 days ago
Former players and audience members shared how the show deals with controversial statements.
6 days ago
Fans were divided on whether Adam Wredberg's Bonus Round puzzle was solvable or not.
6 days ago