Top 12 Surprising Treasures: Unearthing Unexpected Discoveries

12. American Declaration of Independence Found in Thrift Store

Place: Pennsylvania Year Found: 1991 Estimated Value: $2.18 million* Thrift stores have a lot of unusual stuff, and occasionally people are even fortunate enough to find really valuable stuff. That's what happened to a flea market collector in Pennsylvania. He paid $4 for a "dismal" painting because he loved the way the piece was framed. There was a copy of the Declaration of Independence when he removed the artwork.

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The Declaration of Independence of the United States was discovered on Pinterest, Listenverse, and the Twist Store. He discovered that this copy was the original printing of the historical item after having it authenticated. It was estimated to be worth $1 million, or roughly $2.18 million in today's currency, when it was put up for auction in June 1991.