Illinois Man Discovers Rare 18th-Century Plate Worth ₹3.8 Lakh at Thrift Store

John Carcerano purchased the plate for just ₹415 at Goodwill and had its authenticity confirmed by experts, including Sotheby’s.

John Carcerano, a seasoned thrifter from Illinois, found a rare 18th-century Chinese armorial export plate at a Goodwill store for $4.99 (₹415).
The plate, dating back to the Qing dynasty’s Qianlong period (circa 1775), was identified using Google Lens and confirmed to be highly valuable.
Experts at Sotheby’s and other auction houses authenticated the plate, estimating its worth between $4,000 and $6,000 (₹3.33 lakh to ₹5 lakh).
Carcerano highlighted the plate’s pristine condition, noting it had never been used or scratched, which contributed to its rarity and value.
The plate is set to be auctioned in June 2025, marking one of Carcerano's most significant finds in his 35 years of thrifting.