Imagine strolling through a garage sale, hunting for bargains, and spotting an old photograph for just $2. Nothing special, right? That’s exactly what one man in Fresno, California thought—until his humble purchase turned into a $5 million jackpot.
The photo, unremarkable at first glance, turned out to be an ultra-rare image of Billy the Kid, the Wild West’s most infamous outlaw. But it wasn’t just any photo—it showed Billy the Kid casually playing croquet with his gang, The Regulators, back in 1878. That small detail made it a historical treasure.
The journey from garage sale to million-dollar discovery was no simple feat. The photo’s authenticity was confirmed after a year-long investigation by Kagin’s Inc., a leading numismatics firm. Experts pored over every detail, even visiting the site where the photo was taken. David McCarthy, a senior expert at Kagin’s, called it “the Holy Grail of Western Americana.”
This tintype photo, measuring a modest 4 by 5 inches, now sits alongside the only other known image of Billy the Kid, which sold for $2.3 million back in 2010.
Billy the Kid, whose real name was Henry McCarty, is an enduring legend of the Wild West. Known for his daring escapades and outlaw life, he’s often credited with 21 kills, though historians put the number closer to nine. His story ended in 1881 when Sheriff Pat Garrett famously tracked him down and killed him at Fort Sumner.
This discovery breathes new life into Billy the Kid’s legacy, adding another chapter to his infamous tale. It’s a reminder that history can hide in plain sight—even at a neighborhood garage sale.
So, next time you see an old photograph at a sale, take a closer look. You never know—it might just change your life.
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