The Most Valuable Things People Found in Abandoned Storage Units

Storage units are usually filled with what people meant to deal with later—and never did. But every so often, someone opens one up and finds something incredible. We’re talking rare collectibles, lost artwork, forgotten cash, and in a few cases, literal treasure.

Whether bought at auction or inherited by accident, these lucky finds turned dusty boxes and padlocked doors into six- and even seven-figure jackpots. Here’s what’s actually been discovered—and what to keep an eye out for if you’re ever tempted to bid on one.

1. A Million-Dollar Comic Book

One of the most famous finds happened in a unit bought for less than $100. Inside? A near-mint copy of Action Comics #1—the first appearance of Superman. The book eventually sold for $2.1 million.

Turns out, the unit once belonged to actor Nicolas Cage, who had reported the comic stolen years earlier. After legal wrangling, it was returned and sold, making the story even more legendary.

2. Spanish Gold Coins from the 1700s

A man in San Jose paid $1,100 for a unit and found gold and silver coins wrapped in old newspaper. The stash turned out to be centuries old—and worth more than $500,000.

Experts traced some of the coins back to Spanish colonial-era treasure fleets. The collector who had stored them never told anyone, and the cache sat untouched for years.

3. A Missing Michael Jordan Contract

In Chicago, a storage unit full of Bulls memorabilia revealed an original rookie contract signed by Michael Jordan. Alongside it were unreleased photos and personal items from his early NBA years.

Appraisers valued the collection in the six-figure range, and sports collectors lined up to bid. It’s a reminder that paperwork—even old contracts—can be just as valuable as gear.

4. Unreleased Hollywood Film Reels

One unit held original 35mm reels from a never-released film featuring Marilyn Monroe. Film historians were stunned. The value? Undisclosed—but easily worth hundreds of thousands, based on Monroe’s collector market alone.

The buyer, who paid under $500 for the unit, had no idea what they were looking at until a film expert stepped in. It’s now considered one of the rarest Monroe-related discoveries ever made.

5. An Elvis Presley Recording Studio Console

A unit purchased in Memphis revealed an entire vintage mixing board that had once belonged to a studio used by Elvis Presley. After verifying its history, the console was sold to a private collector for over $100,000.

It had been sitting in a dusty corner beneath tarps and cables—almost discarded. But a little research turned junk into gold.

6. Jewelry Worth Over $500,000

In Long Island, a storage unit was opened to reveal a small safe. Inside were watches, rings, and necklaces—some with appraisal certificates still attached. One ring alone was valued at over $80,000.

The unit had belonged to a retired jeweler who passed away, and no one ever claimed it. The buyer got it all for less than $1,000.

7. Vintage Instruments from a Touring Band

In Nashville, a musician won a unit packed with old road cases. Inside were vintage guitars, amps, and analog recording equipment—all from a defunct touring band in the ’70s and ’80s.

Several instruments turned out to be rare, American-made models worth $10,000+ each. The total resale value topped $150,000.

8. A Classic Car Hidden Under Tarps

A man in Florida bought a large storage unit that seemed empty—until he pulled off a series of tarps. Underneath was a dusty but intact 1966 Shelby GT350 Mustang. After restoration, it was valued near $200,000.

The car had been in storage since the early ’90s and was left behind in a bankruptcy case. The buyer couldn’t believe his luck—and neither could the car community.

9. War Memorabilia and Rare Medals

One unit in Texas turned up military uniforms, handwritten journals, and a collection of rare WWII medals. A historian identified several items belonging to a high-ranking officer whose records had been lost for decades.

The lot was sold to a museum for more than $80,000. The journals alone provided original battlefield accounts that were previously undocumented.

10. A Forgotten Safe Filled with Cash

In one of the strangest finds, a storage unit buyer opened a safe that had been bolted to the back wall. Inside? Over $7.5 million in cold, hard cash. The story went viral—but it didn’t end there.

Lawyers for the original owner eventually stepped in. A confidential settlement was reached, but the buyer still walked away with a large cut—just for opening the right door.

What Looks Like Junk Might Be a Jackpot

Abandoned storage units are usually filled with old furniture, paperwork, and things people forgot they even owned. But once in a while, they hold something truly valuable—something with history, rarity, or flat-out dollar value.

Whether you’re bidding at auction or just cleaning out a family unit, it pays to look carefully. Because the next million-dollar find might be sitting behind a padlocked roll-up door—and no one will know until it’s opened.