Antiques Roadshow has seen some incredible items valued by its history boffins since the show began in 1979. Some guests have even stormed off air.
Victoria Cross May 2023 saw an incredible item that its owners believed was "worthless" receive a six-figure valuation. BBC presenter and antiques expert Mark Smith was delighted with the "unique moment" he was able to value an item he had never come across on the show before. Faberge sculpture In August 2022 expert Geoffrey Minn left a guest lost for words during a valuation of a Faberge sculpture of a pear blossom, which had belonged to the Worcestershire army regiment. But unbeknown to the guest, the item was worth a series amount of cash which is believed to be an Antiques Roadshow record-breaker.
After examining the other items, the popular figure estimated that they'd be auctioned for £5000 despite only personally valuing them at around £100 and £300. He offered so much because of their significant historical value. The guest, clearly amused by the story, declared: "I am going to take them home and look after them," which caused the crowd to burst into laughter.These included a set of Chinese jade lovebirds, a kidney-shaped item and a bracelet. Despite their beautiful items being valued at a total of up to £60,000, the guests revealed they had no plans to sell any of them.