If you like garage sales and antiquing, then chances are you’ve come across the History Channel’s Pawn Stars, a TV show centered around the staff of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Each episode, customers bring in unique items for appraisal. Some items are strange, others are rare, and a few are top-of-line antiques and collector’s items.
From rare guitars and religious texts to an actual piece of pirate’s treasure, here are some of the most expensive items ever shown on Pawn Stars.
George Washington’s silk suit ($2.5 million)
The silky suit of George Washington, the first-ever president of the United States of America is among the most valuable items to be featured on the show.
Although the seller originally asked for $3 million for the suit but dropped the price to $2.5 million. The Harrisons felt the price was too much to pay for the outfit even if it belonged to the late president.
The OJ Simpson Ford Bronco ($1.25 million)
On June 17th,1994, OJ Simpson was charged with the deaths of his ex-wife Brown Simpson, and a waiter Ron Goldman. The former NFL champion resisted arrest and took off in his white Ford bronco and led the police on one of the most viewed car chases in the world.
Yes, the very white Ford bronco, was offered to the Harrisons for a whopping sum of $1.25million. The Ford Bronco became famous or rather infamous for that police chase which was watched live by over 95 million people worldwide.
Despite the history associated with the car, Rick Harrison couldn’t pay that amount for it.
Robosaurus ($1 million)
The fire-breathing transforming dinosaur robot created by inventor Doug Malewicki was offered to Rick for $1 million. Even though they were awed by the gigantic creation, they just couldn’t cough out $1 million for the robot.
The Beatles original contract ($1 million)
The Beatles were undeniably one of the greatest bands ever. Although their career was short-lived, their impact on pop culture lives on.
The original copy of their contract with band manager Brian Epstein with their signatures was offered to Rick Harrison for $1 million. While Rick may have loved The Beatles, he could not splurge that amount on this incredible piece of The Beatles history.
Jimi Hendrick’s guitar ($750,000)
When a seller walked in with Jimi Hendrick’s most possession; his 1963 Fender Stratocaster guitar, he was confident he was going to get the entire $750,000 asking price. Rick Harrison was excited to own the stupidly cool guitar and he offered $500,000 for the item.
Unfortunately, the seller was either too greedy or he was too confident he would get a better deal for the guitar. He passed up on the offer, dashing the hopes of Rick who had been eager to own the famous guitar.
Maurice Sendak’s Sketches ($250,000)
The Harrisons bought the original sketches for Where The Wild Things, a well-loved children’s book by Maurice Sendak. The sketches by the famous illustrator and author remain the most expensive item bought by the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
3000-ounce of silver ($111,000)
The Harrisons bought 3000 ounces of pure silver from Jeff the owner, for $111,000. The treasure contained bars and coins, all in pure silver.
This is the second most expensive purchase made by the Pawn Stars.
1932 Lincoln Roadster ($95,000)
The Harrison family decided the 1932 luxurious Lincoln Roadster with a big V-12 engine beneath the large hood, was too valuable to let go of. So amidst the Great Depression, they splurged $95,000 on the antique car.
1961 Gibson SG Les Paul Guitar ($90,000)
Les Paul was famous in the world of guitars and jazz music. Together with his wife Mary Ford, they sold millions of copies of his album as well as his legendary guitars.
When the 1961 Gibson SG Les Paul Guitar, one of Les Paul’s greatest inventions, arrived in the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, the Harrisons knew they had to get it.
They were able to persuade the buyer to sell the guitar for $90,000 instead of the buyer’s outrageous $250,000 asking price.
Stephen Stills 1941 Gibson SJ-200 Guitar ($85,000)
The 1941 Gibson SJ-200 Guitar is one of the most iconic acoustic guitars thanks to rock icon Stephen Stills. Stephen Stills was a member of the Crosby, Stills & Nash folk-rock band.
A customer brought the famous guitar, complete with a bill of sale signed by Stills himself. The Harrisons were able to buy the guitar from the owner for $85,000 out of the $110,000 asking price.
1922 Proof Peace High Relief Dollar ($80,000)
One lucky man won the 1922 Proof Peace High Relief Dollar at a poker game. He initially wanted only $20,000 for the rare item but got more than his asking price. The coin was evaluated by professionals and the value was between $50,000 to $100,000. At the end, Rick paid him $80,000 for the item.
1932 Custom Ford Roadster ($68,250)
A client was forced to sell his customized 1932 Custom Ford Roadster due to personal reasons. The antique car which cost the owner $140,000 in the three years he owned the car, was sold to the Harrison family for $68,250 out of the $70,000 asking price.
1915 Panama Pacific Octagonal Gold Coin ($67,500)
Rick was commissioned by a client to get the 1915-s gold $50 PAN-PAC octagonal MS64 for $70,000.
The commemorative coin which was produced by the United States was revealed at the Panama- Pacific International Exposition. In the honor of the opening of the Panama Canal.
The one-of-a-kind coin was found in Atlanta, at a coin auction and was sold to Rick for $67,500.
2014 Hertz Penske GT Mustang ($60,000)
Cars are usually one of the most expensive items on the Pawn Star show. In the 12th season of the show, we watched Rick splurge $60,000 on a 2014 Hertz Penske GT Mustang. The legendary GT Mustang was one of the first ten of its kind. And there were only 150 ever made.
John F. Kennedy’s Cigar Box ($60,000)
John F. Kennedy was one of the most admired presidents of the United States of America. And the Harrisons could not pass up the golden opportunity to buy his cigar box. They paid $60,000 to the customer who sold the box.
The cigar box once sat on JFK’s desk in the Oval Office and it contained several unsmoked cigars in them.
2001 New England Patriots Super Bowl Championship Ring ($100,000)
Rick could not believe his luck when Brook Williams, a former New England Patriots defensive back walked into the famous pawn shop to trade his 2001 Super Championship ring.
The commemorative ring is made of 14-karat white gold and covered with 143 diamonds.
Rick ended up buying the expensive ring for a measly $2000 as collateral for a loan. Brook never came back for the ring and it is now worth $100,000.
Faberge Spider Brooch ($80,000)
The seller of this Faberge Spider Brooch had no idea how valuable the piece of jewelry she had, was worth. She was looking to sell it for only a couple of dollars but Rick offered $15,000 for the item.
It turns out, the brooch was worth $80,000 making the $15,000 buy a great deal for Rick.
1961 Vic Flicks Fender Stratocaster Guitar ($70,000)
When Vic Flicks walked into the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop to sell his 1961 Stratocaster guitar, no one knew who he was.
It was a unique moment in the show when it was discovered Vic Flicks was a guitar expert who taught legendary guitarists like Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin’s guitarist) how to play.
After confirming his identity, Rick was able to buy the guitar for a cool $55,000.
1554 Spanish Gold Bar From A Shippwreck ($50,000)
The owner of this 1554 Spanish gold bar found it while cleaning his attic and decided it was worth something. Rick offered him $35,000 for the bar which he took.
It turns out the gold bar was worth $50,000.
1842 5th Edition Book Of Mormon ( $40,000)
Rebecca Romney, is the manager of Bauman Rare Books in Las Vegas. And her appearance on the show, turned her into one of the most respected experts on the show.
Thus she was the expert called to examine a customer’s 5th edition copy of the Book of Mormon.
Rick offered the seller $24,000 even though the book is worth at least $40,000.
