US man uncovers priceless antique plate for $4.99

What started as a routine trip to a Goodwill store turned into an unbelievable treasure hunt for one Illinois man. 

An Illinois man made an extraordinary discovery when he purchased a seemingly ordinary plate for just $4.99 at a Goodwill store in Evanston, a wealthy neighborhood in the state, according to the Israeli media. 

John Carcerano, a carpet cleaner with 35 years of experience in buying and selling antiques, never expected that his routine trip to the thrift store would lead him to one of the most remarkable finds of his life.

While browsing through a bin of second-hand items alongside other shoppers, Carcerano came across a porcelain plate tucked underneath a modern dish. Although the plate didn’t immediately stand out, something about it caught his eye. “The plate was lying under a modern dish, and I, along with a few other people, was searching the same bin of used items,” Carcerano recalled.

Intrigued by the plate's potential, Carcerano purchased it and decided to investigate its origins further once he got home. Using Google Lens, an app that helps identify objects by analyzing photos, he snapped a picture of the plate. Within minutes, the app revealed that the plate was, in fact, a valuable antique.

“Within five minutes, I knew I had a priceless thing,” Carcerano said.

Carcerano's discovery has captured the attention of antique lovers and experts alike, reminding people that treasures can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.

By Naila Huseynova