When A 96-Year-Old Woman Sold Her Home, Real Estate Agents Were Stunned By What They Found Inside
Real estate agents see things every day that would surprise the rest of us. After all, you never know what to expect when you're entering strangers' homes all day long. That unknown quality can make the job more interesting to some real estate agents!
But a pair of agents, sisters named Gladys and Carla Spizzirri, got the shock of a lifetime in 2014 when they showed up at one property. They'd heard rumors about it, and now the time had come to see if they were true.
An Ordinary-Looking Home In Ontario
The property located at 148 Jane Street in Toronto, Ontario, was completely normal looking from the outside. In fact, the entire street that the house was on was pretty unremarkable. Most of the houses looked like each other, and nothing jumped out as especially odd or unusual.
Neighbors said that not many people had been inside to see the residence at 148 Jane Street. The same family had lived there for as long as anyone could remember. No one thought much of the place until a day came when these real estate agents received an unusual call about the house.
One Phone Call Changes Everything
Veterans in the real estate industry, Gladys and Carla Spizzirri, knew the housing market like the backs of their hands. They thought they had seen it all. And on this particular day, no different than any other day at work, they weren't expecting anything to surprise them.
But that was all about to change as the office phone suddenly rang. The voice on the other end of the line had an interesting proposition for two seasoned realtors.
The Realtors Were Used To Working Their Way Up From The Bottom
The two enterprising sisters hadn't always worked together but they eventually decided to join forces and become a team since they got along well professionally, too. They divided their work evenly, with one actively finding new clients and listings while the other was handling closings with existing clients.
The pair were used to having to work hard to close sales but something about this specific phone call made them feel like the work would be even harder.
The Stranger On The Line Was A 96-Year-Old Woman
The caller's name was Joyce, and she said that she was considering putting her house on the market...maybe. Joyce's voice sounded hesitant, maybe even unwilling, but the words she spoke insisted that she would like to sell her home.
It was obvious to the realtors that Joyce hadn't done much research and simply called the first place she could. They asked why she was hesitant and Joyce insisted the realtors come to see the house before she decided to list it.
Something Hidden
Some of the things that Gladys and Carla Spizzirri had seen and experienced in their work as real estate agents would send other people running in the opposite direction, and Joyce's house is no different. But they were seasoned veterans and were prepared for anything that a client threw their way.
Or so they thought... Once they finally got to see Joyce's home they realized it wasn't their typical day at the office.
The Realtors Could Tell Joyce Was Hiding Something
Now usually, people are excited when they contact a real estate agent. A move is likely a good thing and people are optimistic about entering a new period of life. But Gladys and Carla didn't detect anything close to excitement as they spoke to Joyce.
In fact, they got the impression that the woman on the phone might even be keeping something from them. Some people try to hide problems with the house they're selling, in order to get a better price. The sisters were curious about what Joyce might be hiding from them.
They Say: Expect The Worst, Hope For The Best
Joyce had told the sisters that she'd lived in her modest home for the past 70 years but that she hadn't updated it much during those long decades. There had been one kitchen remodeling years back but that was it. This was an immediate red flag for the relators.
A good approach to just about anything in life is to hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. As long-time real estate agents, Gladys and Carla Spizzirri were used to adopting this attitude when viewing a home for the first time. Still, they worried about walking into a dump that was dated and ugly.
It Was Time To Find Out Just How Bad (Or Good) Joyce's House Was
Usually, when a homeowner tries to hide something about the house they're selling it's along the lines of a mold problem or a leaky basement. It's really not unusual for someone to try and keep little problems like these a secret from real estate agents.
This was no ordinary real estate transaction, though. The secret that Joyce was keeping from Carla and Gladys was actually much bigger than normal. And it was one that the agents had never experienced in their years in real estate.
It Was Time To Finally Inspect The House
What would Gladys and Carla find when they finally opened the front door of the house on Jane Street? They grew increasingly worried as the date of their inspection neared.
The fact that 96-year-old Joyce had lived alone for so long didn't help, as she probably wouldn't have been able to maintain the property very well. The Spizzirris prepared themselves for the worst-case scenario, one where the house was in such bad shape it couldn't possibly be sold.
No One Could Have Prepared Them For This
The day had finally arrived and the Spizzirris traveled to 148 Jane Street in order to finally see what mystery Joyce's house held. Nothing could have prepared them for this astonishing sight as they opened the front door and peered inside.
In fact, this scene would be a completely unexpected surprise to anyone who saw it, especially since the outside of the house was so nondescript.
A Time Capsule Disguised As A Home
So far, the only information Gladys and Carla had been able to get about the home was an address and a photo of the front. Nothing about it seemed remarkable except for the potentially huge sum they could sell the house for if it was in decent shape.
They never could have expected to be faced with such an unusual sight once they finally had the chance to see the interior of the house in person.
Audible Oohs And Aaahs
Gladys and Carla had expected one of two things about Joyce's house. The first option, and the one that seemed the most likely, was that the house would be in terrible condition. Perhaps it might even be full of junk as in a hoarding situation.
The second possibility was that the house would be completely ordinary, just as it appeared from the outside. But the sisters had been completely wrong. The house was in great shape, and it was anything but ordinary.
An Absolute Gem Of A Home
Needless to say, Gladys and Carla were over the moon with excitement after finally viewing Joyce's home. It was bound to sell for a lot more money than they ever could have expected.
Joyce was an impeccable housekeeper and her home was practically a time capsule from the 1940s. This was the decade when Joyce had first moved into the house and began decorating and furnishing it. Everything looked absolutely pristine and unchanged.
Deeper And Deeper
As Carla and Gladys giddily explored the house at 148 Jane Street, they realized something: that each room was even more impressive than the one they had just left. In fact, it was the most well-preserved home either of them had ever been witness to.
The house was practically a museum of Joyce's life, and now the sisters understood why she had been reluctant to part with it.
Will Buyers Appreciate The Home?
There was one potentially huge drawback to Joyce's immaculately preserved home. She had decorated the house in a very feminine style, with plenty of pink and purple color splashes as well as silky and lacy fabrics. The house was definitely not a style that would appeal to the majority of men.
What were the real estate agents to do? It would cost a fortune to redecorate the entire home and cut deeply into the sales profit.
The House's Saving Grace
After seeing room after room of pinks and purples, Gladys and Carla were about to be stunned again as they entered the basement. Lo and behold, Joyce's stunning home had a man-cave down in the basement.
This space was probably her husband's escape from the frilliness of the rest of the home. It featured wood paneling, a wet bar, and neutral furniture. Surely Joyce's husband must have enjoyed hours spend down in this spectacular (and masculine) area.
The Backyard Was A Disappointment
You might expect this house to have a spectacular backyard, maybe a "secret garden" of sorts. Not so. Just like the rest of the home's exterior, the backyard was completely ordinary, even plain. It had AstroTurf instead of real grass and one small storage shed.
This disappointing yard wasn't a deal-breaker though! Now Gladys and Carla just needed a professional home inspector come and check for any flaws in the home.
Inspection Day Looms
Any real estate professional can tell you that even the best-looking houses can have a whole lot of problems lurking under the surfaces. From minor problems to big ones like flood damage or unhealthy mold, almost any home has a flaw or two.
Carla and Gladys were fully confident that Joyce's house was in great condition. But even so, they knew they had to wait for the inspector's official findings. You just never know.
What Lurks Beneath
After a nail-biting wait, the home inspectors finally arrived at 148 Jane Street and got to work. The teams thoroughly checked out every inch of Joyce's home, looking for any hidden surprises that could derail the house's sale.
There was no need to worry. The house was in near-perfect condition, with the inspectors saying that it was in about the same state as it had been when Joyce had first moved in 70 years earlier. It was time to list the house and find a buyer for it!
On The Market
As you can imagine, Gladys and Carla were eager to get this gem of a home on the market as soon as possible. In fact, they listed it the very same day as the inspection. Their asking price: a jaw-dropping $699,000!
A bidding war quickly started. Everyone who saw the house was astonished by its interior and wanted it for themselves.
The Listing At 148 Jane Street Went Viral
As word spread about the condition of Joyce's home, the story began to attract some major attention. It was picked up by news outlets and became a huge story, eventually going viral. People were absolutely obsessed with the house.
In fact, a lot of people who saw the home felt that it should be preserved as a 1940s museum rather than somewhere to live. But then Joyce revealed that she had, in fact, made a change to the home while she lived in it.
What Had Joyce Done To The House?
Many of the home's new fans were flabbergasted that it had been kept intact since the 1940s. Some of them were disappointed when Joyce revealed that she had actually had the kitchen renovated in the 1960s.
The reason for the update was that she'd wanted to upgrade her appliances to the more modern ones that had become available, which is perfectly reasonable. And the current kitchen was still exactly the same as it had been in the '60s.
What's Next For Joyce?
Joyce had always enjoyed interior design and had furnished her home at 148 Jane Street exactly the way she wanted it. So why was she willing to leave it after 70 happy years in the house?
Well, Joyce was finally ready to retire. She was going to move into a retirement community and enjoy her golden years in comfort and relaxation. Even so, it must have been difficult to leave her home behind.
What Does The Future Hold?
When Joyce and her husband moved into the home in 1942, it was a very different time. Things have changed a lot in the ensuing 70 years. So one question that everyone has about Joyce's house is whether the new owners will keep it as the time capsule it was, or whether they'll want to renovate and modernize the place.
The new owners, of course, will have the right to do whatever they'd like with their property. Those of us who appreciate history certainly hope that they'll make an effort to keep things the same, but only time will tell.
This Could Be A Dealbreaker
Well, this could be a dealbreaker to potential buyers of Joyce's house! It turns out that the remarkable vintage furniture filling the home isn't included in the sale. This might be disappointing to people who are attracted to the unique interior.
Joyce's daughter wanted to keep the furniture, which is perfectly reasonable. She probably has lots of fond memories attached to the furnishings (and to the house itself.)
Joyce Slept Here For 70 Years
It's hard for some of us to imagine living in the same place for so long, but Joyce has been in the home at 148 Jane Street since she was just 24 years old. Although you can't tell from the home's brick exterior, the inside is a museum of Joyce's life -- and of her impeccable sense of style!
This is the master bedroom, where Joyce said she spent lots of time. Everything looks just as fresh and well-kept as when it was brand new.
A Bathroom Fit For A Queen
People are fascinated by Joyce's design style. As she told the Daily Mail, she has strong ideas about color. "I like soft colors, and I like things to match and flow well together. I prefer tone-to-tone to bright colors," she said.
This approach to color can be seen in the smallest details, even in the bathroom. The bath mat, toilet seat cover, and towels all complement each other. And there are matching gold accents throughout the room.
It's All In The Details
Now for the details. Joyce's unique home has a total of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There are cozy fireplaces throughout the house, a perfect escape from those brutal Canadian winters.
The interior design style is most strongly from the 1940s, but also has elements from later decades. Each room has its own unique color scheme, but they all work nicely together too.
Convenient Features Throughout The House
Despite the fact that it's more than 70 years old, Joyce's house has all the modern conveniences. This dedicated laundry room is fully-equipped with everything you need to keep your wardrobe clean.
These cabinets look as shiny and new as if they were just hung last year. Even the laundry room of 148 Jane Street is a testament to the love and care that Joyce and her husband put into their home.
Will She Sell Or Not?
There was so much uncertainty in Joyce's voice during her phone call with Gladys and Carla that they were worried she might just change her mind about selling the house. She insisted that she was ready to part ways with the house despite how difficult that would be.
Leaving a house with so many precious memories is never easy, especially when you've lived in the same home for seven decades, as Joyce had.
Accentuate The Positive
Joyce's house had one other major thing going for it aside from the impressive interior: it was located in a nice neighborhood that was highly sought-after. Prices in the area had been rising over the past few years.
Carla and Gladys had already run the numbers on comparable houses in Joyce's neighborhood. Even if her home wasn't in decent condition, it would fetch a fortune when it was sold. Luckily, it had a unique inside as well!
Location, Location, Location!
As they say in real estate, location is everything. This was something Gladys and Carla knew well, having worked in the industry for so many years, They'd had great luck selling other homes in Joyce's neighborhood at high listings. How much would Joyce's house sell for?
The numbers they had already crunched indicated that Joyce's home could be worth an astonishing $968,000. But there were so many unknowns still involved. If the home was in terrible shape, which was likely, the price would be much, much lower. And then again, Joyce might decide not to sell her house after all.
Would Joyce Back Out Of The Sale?
Carla and Gladys spoke with Joyce for quite a while after viewing the house since Joyce wanted to make sure she understood everything the real estate agents were telling her.
Both sisters were surprised that Joyce seemed very clear-headed and didn't seem to have any difficulty speaking with them despite being 96-years-old (as many elderly people do.) At the end of the day, Joyce confirmed she was ready to sell the house and close the sale.
Time To Close The Deal And Bid Joyce Goodbye
In their three decades of working in Toronto, Gladys and Carla Spizzirri had learned the city inside and out but never experienced anything like this. They were experts who had been inside hundreds, if not thousands, of Toronto-area houses and Joyce's house was a first for them.
The sisters were grateful they had the opportunity to work with such a fascinating and unique woman. Who knew how much a simple phone call could change everyone's lives!
A Mansion Untouched For Over 20 Years
This is the Pineheath house, a mansion in Yorkshire, England. You would think that anyone who owns a mansion wouldn't leave a single thing behind, but such is exactly the case for this 40-room estate.
The Pineheath house once belonged to an Indian-born aristocratic couple, Sir Dhunjibhoy and Lady Bomanji. The home was left virtually untouched after Lady Bonmanji's passing in 1986, nearly 50 years after her husband. When a local businessman purchased it with plans to restore it, he didn't know he'd be stepping into the past.
The Style Hasn't Changed With The Times
Sir Dhunjibhoy and Lady Bomanji ostensibly bought the home in the early 20th century, as many of the home's furnishings are in a style representative of the 1920's. This antique-style bathroom is one example. As you can see, its tub and the fixtures around the sink aren't styles you'd see in a modern bathroom.
Strangely though, the home was found in impeccable condition, despite the fact that no one has lived there since the '70s or '80s.
They Kept Up With Outdated Technology
The home may have had a 1920's style to it, but many of the family's belongings were from another era. They clearly kept up with technology in the '80s. Old tape players and outdated television sets were found throughout the home.
After Lady Bomanji's death in 1986, the home went to her daughter who died in 2012. It seems that her daughter didn't do much with the home since it came into her possession.
A Parisian Apartment Was Abandoned In The Early 20th Century
A flat in Paris was left untouched since early 20th century. Its previous owner fled to the south of France during World War II and never returned. Upon her death at age 91, experts were sent back to the home to take inventory of what she left behind.
Much of its furnishings look as if they were from the 1800's. They were certainly outdated as well, including a stone sink and a wooden stove.
The Owners Had Interesting Taste
It seems that the previous owner clearly had expensive taste, but she had some simple interests as well. In addition to a stuffed ostrich, experts also found a dated Mickey Mouse plush toy. De Florian also had a number of luxurious jewels, gowns, and porcelain.
However, the apartment was entirely furnished by the owner's grandmother, Marthe de Florian, who died in 1939. De Florian's granddaughter continued to pay the rent until her death, despite the fact that she didn't live there.
They Found An Unknown Painting From A Great Artist
Perhaps the most glorious find of the apartment was an original painting by 19th-century Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. The expert who excavated the home couldn't find any record of the Boldini painting in official archives, but a love note from Boldini himself proved they'd found a jackpot.
They believed that Madame de Florian must have been one of his muses. The painting sold for around $3 million, which was a world record at the time for the artist.
Old Hollywood Film Posters Found In Floorboards
Blair Pitre was renovating a home he'd just moved into in Alberta, Canada, when he happened to find Old Hollywood relics hidden in the roof and floorboard of the home. Pitre found about 40 vintage film posters that date back to the '20s and '30s.
His house was built in 1912 and reports indicate that the home's previous owner also owned the local movie house. The original posters feature the likes of Greta Garbo, Gary Cooper, and Buster Keaton, to name a few. The posters were auctioned off and earned Pitre around $50,000. He used the proceeds to complete his home renovations.
A Frenchman Inherited A Lot More Than A House
A Frenchman in Normandy inherited more than just a house from his deceased relative. Hidden away under furniture, old piles of linen, and even inside the bathroom was over 200 pounds in gold.
Auctioneer Nicolas Fierfort told AFP in 2016, "There were 5,000 gold pieces, two bars of 12 kilos and 37 ingots of 1 kilo." The man himself had failed to find all this gold before he sold the house to a new owner, who was the one to discover the treasure. All of the gold was bought in the '50s and '60s and was estimated to be worth around $3.7 million.
A Long-Lost Paul McCartney Record Reemerged
British pop star Cilla Black had a top-ten hit in 1964 called "It's for You," which was specially written for her by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. McCartney was known to have recorded a version on acetate and sent it to Black, but since then the record has forever been lost.
After Black passed in 2015, her relatives were cleaning up her house when they happened upon an envelope with "It's For You" written on it. Assuming it was a recording of her hit record, they were surprised when it was actually McCartney singing. The recording was auctioned at $22,306.
A Man Found Money To Pay Off His House Within Its Walls
A 35-year-old man found roughly $45,000 hidden in his basement. The master DIY-er recounted his findings on Imgur, sharing that the money was found in two little boxes that were hidden in the ceiling of the basement.
The man's home was built in the '40s and he'd already renovated the top two floors before getting to the basement. Along with the money was a Cleveland newspaper dating back to the '50s. The bills were pretty old, but worth more in the present day. After a lawyer confirmed that the findings were rightfully theirs, the man and his family used the money to pay off their mortgage.
One Man's Treasure Wasn't Going To Be Another Man's Trash
When Thomas Schultz purchased a small cottage in Bellport Village, New York, there was something quite special waiting for him in the garage. Thousands of paintings, drawings, and journals were left behind and all belonged to one man, Arthur Pinajian.
Pinajian's relatives told Schultz to just toss it all in the dumpster, but that didn't sit right with him. "I didn't want to be the person responsible for throwing a man's life's work into a dumpster," Schultz said in 2013. The abstract impressionist's work was appraised at $30 million. Some pieces sold for $500,000, while others went up in Manhattan's Fuller Building.
Cartoonist's Sons Find An Original Norman Rockwell In The Walls
"Henry" cartoonist Don Trachte passed away in 2005. The following year, his sons Don Jr. and Dave were cleaning up and inspecting their father's home when they noticed a strange gap in the wood-paneled wall. They pried open the gap to reveal an original Norman Rockwell painting.
Trachte and Rockwell were actually good friends and neighbors, which is why Trachte was in possession of an original copy of "Breaking Home Ties." The sons speculated that he painted a copy of the painting for display and hid the original behind the wall to prevent his ex-wife from taking it in their divorce. It later sold for $15.4 million at a Sotheby's auction.
A Man Found Batman And Superman In His Great-Uncle's Closet
Michael Rorrer was tasked with cleaning out his great-aunt's house in Virginia after her passing in 2015. Deep within a basement closet was a neat stack of old comic books that belonged to his great-uncle.
It wasn't until later that a co-worker mentioned how cool it'd be if the stack included the debut of Superman. Rorrer looked back at the collection and found that it did have Superman's debut in Action Comics No. 1, as well as Batman's debut in Detective Comics No. 27. his great-uncle had acquired them as a child in the late '30s and '40s. The bulk of the collection sold for about $3.5 million in 2016.
A French Couple Found Gold In Their Garden
A couple in Roanne, France bought a house and garden in 2002. While working in the garden, they happened to strike gold. In 2009, they found six gold bars and they found 22 more in 2013. Though they alerted the police of their findings, they quietly sold the bars and pocketed the money.
This caused the bank to start an investigation, news of which prompted the original owners of the house to sue. The gold was worth over $900,000, but unfortunately, the couple lost the case. They were ordered to return the remaining gold bars to the original owners and reimburse them for what was sold.
An Arizona Couple Found Booze And Clues In Their Kitchen
A couple in Phoenix, Arizona purchased a fixer-upper back in 2013 and finally got around to renovating the kitchen two years later. When they took out the kitchen island, they found the door to a safe. Remembering that a combo was etched into one of their medicine cabinets, they eventually got the safe open.
Inside, they found a 1960 bottle of bourbon and $51,080 in cash! They also found a book, A Guide for the Perplexed by E.F. Schumacher that had clues for a treasure hunt. Though they were left with more questions, they certainly had succeeded in finding the treasure!
One Man's Discovery Brings Joy To His Neighbors
Matthew Emanuel and his wife of Staten Island were merely undertaking a landscaping project in 2018 when the company they hired dug up a metal box. It turned out to be a huge safe that when opened up, revealed itself to be carrying jewelry and cash.
The cash was dirtied and fragile, but what they could salvage totaled to $16,300. They found a neighboring address listed on the contents of the safe, so Emanuel went to the neighbor and asked if they'd been robbed. It turned out that they were robbed in 2011, but thought the safe had been lost forever.
Unknown Van Gogh Painting Discovered In A Rich Man's Attic
In 2013, Vincent Van Gogh's legacy was revived when a previously unknown painting was confirmed to be one of his originals. The landscape titled "Sunset at Montmajour" was described in great detail by Van Gogh in a letter to his brother, but it never saw the light of day for over a century.
Norwegian industrialist Christian Nicolai Mustad bought the painting in 1908, but when he was told it was probably fake, he banished it to his attic. In the 21st century, Mustad's descendants found the painting in the attic and researchers at the Van Gogh Museum confirmed its authenticity. It was valued at $50 million.
A Man Found A Titanic Relic In His Mother's Attic
In 2006, the son of an amateur musician was cleaning her house after her death. He happened to find a violin that was passively given to his mother by her violin teacher, but it turned out that the violin belonged to bandmaster Wallace Hartley, who famously played "Nearer, My God, To Thee" as the Titanic was sinking.
The violin was verified to be authentic and is believed to be the exact violin that Hartley was playing in his last moments. Though it was rendered unplayable due to saltwater damage, the violin was auctioned off at more than $1.7 million in 2013.
A Jar Of U.S. Gold Coins Was Found In London
Residents of Hackney in east London were digging a hole on their property to build a frog pond. Three weeks into the project they dug up a jar filled with 80 gold coins, which turned out to be U.S. Double-Eagle gold coins valued at $20 a piece.
The coins belonged to Martin Sulzbacher, a German banker whose family went to London during WWII. Martin's brother buried the coins on their property just before they were killed by a bomb. When the jar was found in 2007, they found Martin's son Max, who sold the coins in an auction for over $100,000.
Man Finds Rare Vintage Baseball Cards In Grandpa's Attic
In 2012, 51-year-old Karl Kissner was rummaging his grandfather's attic in Defiance, Ohio when he chanced upon a jackpot find for an avid baseball find. Kissner found almost 700 vintage baseball cards in near-mint condition, including cards for legends such as Cy Young and Ty Cobb.
Included in the find were cards part of a 30-payer set that came with caramel candy back in 1910. The cards were auctioned off in small groups over time. The first group of cards, which contained 37 of the best cards, sold for over $500,000 in 2012.
An Uncle Gave His Relatives More Than Just A Garage
In 2009, relatives of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Harold Carr inherited the contents of his locked up garage in Newcastle, England. They were surprised to learn that that inheritance included a rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante – only 17 of which were made.
The Bugatti sat in the garage unused since 1960 and despite the wear of time, was pretty much in tact with all of its original equipment. The car previously belonged to famed race car driver Earl Howe, but Carr purchased it in 1955 for $1,143 (almost $30k today.) Carr's relatives auctioned the car for an incredible $3.8 million.
An Original Keith Haring Was Painted On The Walls
Architect Todd Ernst was on the renovation team for an 8,000 square foot apartment in New York's Tribeca neighborhood in 2010. To their surprise, they discovered that the apartment's original walls were plastered with an original mural by Keith Haring.
The mural was found in the historic American Threat Building, which in the past would frequently host exhibitions with the School of Visual Arts where Haring was a student. The warehouse has since been converted into condos. The painting couldn't be removed, since its on a concrete wall and as a result, the 10-room loft has pre-war and contemporary elements throughout. In 2016, its asking price was around $14 million.
A Leaky Roof Led This Family To An Original Caravaggio
A family in Toulouse, in the southwest of France, had a leaky roof. The repairs brought them into their attic, where they found a long-lost painting that they believed to be an original Caravaggio. The well-preserved painting was a depiction of Judith Beheading Holofernes, thought to be painted by the famed Baroque master in the 1600's.
When the family brought the painting to the attention of historians, there was debate over the painting's authenticity. Art expert Eric Turquin argued that the truth may never be established. Regardless, the painting went on display and is thought to be worth almost $141 million if it is real.
A Couple Found $10 Million In The Ground
A couple in Northern California were walking their dog on their property one day in 2013 when they noticed a metal can sticking out of the ground. They decided to dig it up, but struggled due to its weight. They soon discovered the rusty can was holding gold coins. They went back to the spot and found seven more cans filled with coins.
In all, they dug up $27,460 in twenty-dollar coins, $500 in ten-dollar coins, and $20 in five-dollar coins that dated back to the late 19th century. While the face value of all 1,427 coins amounted to $27,980, their value today is worth more than $10 million.
A Contractor Found Superman In The Walls
In his decade of contracting work, David Gonzales has never found anything in the walls that he demolished. That is, until 2013, when a home he was remodeling in Elbow Lake, Minnesota revealed a rare 1938 copy of Action Comics #1.
The comic was found with old newspaper in the walls and was used for insulation. It was lucky that Gonzalez was able to outbid a neighboring restaurant for the house, who wanted to turn the property into a parking lot. The value of the rare comic far exceeded the house, selling at an auction for $175,000.
A Couple Turned Their Home Into A Museum
Miriam and Theo Sienberg purchased land in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City and moved into their home in 1970. At the time, Israeli antiquity inspectors assured Sienberg that nothing was found on their property, but Theo wasn't satisfied.
He funded a massive excavation project and it took eight months before they finally found what they were looking for. They found a handful of ancient artifacts, but the real find was a 2,600-year-old burial chamber dated to the 500s BCE. The findings were priceless, so Sienberg turned the bottom half of their home into a museum.
