Unbelievable & Insane Treasures Found within Storage Facilities Across the World

Million-Dollar Find

A man in San Jose, California, made headlines in 2011 when he purchased a storage unit at auction for just $1,100US. The contents seemed ordinary at first (oh no, they were not) boxes, old furniture, and miscellaneous items, but as he sifted through everything, he discovered something incredible. Inside a rubber-made container were rare gold and silver coins, as well as bars of pure gold, worth over US$500,000. The original owner, who had fallen behind on payments, had no idea what treasures the unit held due to time and age. This find is a friendly reminder that sometimes, storage units can hold far more than just forgotten belongings.

Forgotten Car Lovers Classic

In 1989, a man rented a storage unit in New York City and then simply forgot about it. Decades later, in 2010, the unit was auctioned off after years of unpaid rent. The buyer, a classic car enthusiast, was stunned to find a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante hidden under a tarp inside the unit. This rare and valuable car, one of only 17 ever made, had been forgotten for years. After it was authenticated, the car was sold at auction for over $4 million. Another gem of a story that illustrates how valuable treasures can sometimes lie hidden, waiting to be discovered.

Comic Nerds Wildest Dreams Come True 

In 2011, a couple in California purchased a storage unit for $1,000 at an auction. Inside, they discovered an astonishing collection of rare comic books, including early editions of “Amazing Spider-Man” and “X-Men.” Comic books that had not been seen in years, even decades. The haul was valued at over $3 million, and the couple became famous and considered some of the luckiest within the comic collecting community for their incredible find.

Prince Who?

In the early 2000s, a storage unit in Los Angeles was auctioned off, and the new owner discovered a treasure trove of music history inside. The unit contained unreleased master tapes and recordings from the legendary artist, Prince. These recordings, some of which were thought to be lost, included rare tracks, demos, and alternate versions of famous songs. The tapes were eventually returned to Prince’s estate, but the discovery highlights the unexpected treasures that can be found in storage, preserving pieces of cultural history that might otherwise have been lost. 

The Antique Furniture Bonanza

A couple in Michigan bought a storage unit for $200 and found it packed with antique furniture and collectibles. After having the items appraised, they discovered that several pieces were rare and worth upwards of $50,000. They were shocked to learn that the previous owner was a well-known antique dealer who had a small problem with letting go of some amazing pieces. 

Op Shopping Dreams 

In 2021, a storage facility in LA auctioned off a unit that contained several boxes filled with vintage clothing & accessories. It turned out that the items were once owned by a famous fashion designer. When the news broke, fashion enthusiasts flocked to thrift stores, hoping to score similar vintage finds, demonstrating the ripple effect of what can happen when a storage unit is opened after years of neglect.

Wine Lovers Ultimate Cellar

In a small storage facility in Texas, a woman won a unit in an auction for $500. Among the items was a collection of vintage wines, some dating back decades and worth thousands of dollars. She later sold the bottles at auction which had clients from across the world, making a significant profit that far exceeded her initial investment. 

Mona Lisa What?

A man in New Jersey bought a storage unit for a couple of hundred dollars, only to find it filled with artwork by well-known artists from all over the world and from different eras. After some research, he learned that the pieces were worth over $1 million. The art had belonged to a prominent collector who had fallen on hard times and lost the storage unit. This is another result of what happens to storage units when the owner can no longer afford the storage. 

Treasure Hunting

In 2015, a man in Florida purchased a unit for $1,000 and found several boxes filled with old coins. After getting them appraised by experts, he realized he had discovered a treasure trove of rare coins valued at over $100,000US including a few pieces from the 1800s that were highly sought after by collectors from around the world.