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 answers ranged from stupid to highly supportive on the show but few made it to the board.
17 hours ago
Fans were furious after all three contestants failed to recognize the actor who voiced Darth Vader.
18 hours ago
The player, Miguel Martinez got unlucky with the letters he picked and lost out on a massive win.
20 hours ago
The pawn boss managed to get a bargain on the incredible fossil as well.
21 hours ago
The owner of a decades old Martin D-18 guitar couldn't believe it was worth five figures.
1 day ago
The player, Kathryn McWhorter, made it to the finale with a tiny margin after fighting hard.
1 day ago
Harvey couldn't believe the answers the contestants came up with while thinking out of the box.
1 day ago
While Chumlee tried his best to make a deal, the owner of the 1962 Fender Jaguar had a problem.
1 day ago
Despite her disastrous choice of letters, Donna Hall Nanney stunned everyone by cracking the puzzle.
1 day ago
The contestant, Joe Ferroni took the game by storm by nearly registering a $108,000 win.
2 days ago
Harvey couldn't believe that the contestants had no idea how to be diplomatic with their partners.
2 days ago
The contestant, Ryan Richmond, a K-5 music teacher won over $73,000 in one night.
2 days ago
The contestant, Billy Kendra got very close to driving home a brand new Chevrolet Blazer.
3 days ago
The players kept cracking up Harvey over and over again with their stupid answers.
3 days ago
The big box retailer has issued a recall of Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene in 12 states.
3 days ago
The guest was shocked to learn that his Stradivarius violin wasn't what he thought it was.
4 days ago
The owner of the collection of Danny Lyon SNCC Civil Rights Posters was left astonished in the end.
5 days ago
After Harrison bought a signed speed bag for $250, he happened to meet the star at a dinner.
5 days ago
The contestant, Doug, had a hard time coming up with a sensible answer.
5 days ago
While Jennings performed a half-baked trick, it still managed to thoroughly entertain the fans.
6 days ago