Objects Found In The Desert That Were Actually Worth A Ton Of Money
Deserts are hot, dry, and barren. Generally, they're full of nothingness, and those who brave the sand and heat usually come back with just a sunburn and an empty water bottle. But sometimes, explorers return with much more than they could've ever hoped. For a lucky few, these valuable items found in the desert were worth every sweaty step.
Ptolemaic coin ($10,000)
Discovered in Israel in 2010, this coin was dubbed by researchers as the most valuable ever discovered. The 2,200-year-old coin is believed to have been worth a half-year's salary during its circulation.
Winchester model 1873 ($15,000)
This rifle, manufactured in 1882 and pictured in this 1969 painting titled "The Homesteaders," was discovered resting against a tree in Nevada's Great Basin National Park, over a century ago. Its value is still astronomically greater than the $35-$50 it was worth back in the 19th century.
The James Ossuary ($50,000)
Said to have contained the body of James the Just, brother of Jesus of Nazareth, this religious artifact was discovered in a cave in the Silwan area of Jerusalem. Since its authenticity was never verified, it's valued at a shockingly low price.
The Atari Landfill ($108,000)
Following the video game crash of 1983, gaming company Atari decided to bury its unsold games in the New Mexico desert. When the landfill was excavated, the surviving cartridges were auctioned off.
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