It was supposed to be a fun and exciting day for one family visiting the Antiques Roadshow set, but it quickly turned into a nightmare when a seemingly innocent gambling wheel left one young girl “scared to death” by its staggering value.
The incident occurred during the filming of an episode of the hit BBC show, which sees guests bringing in their antiques and collectibles to be appraised by experts. One particular guest, a middle-aged man who wished to remain anonymous, brought in an old gambling wheel that had been in his family for generations.
The man explained to the show’s experts that the wheel had been passed down to him by his grandfather, who had used it in his illegal gambling den during the Prohibition era. The man had always assumed it was just a quirky family heirloom with sentimental value, but he was shocked to learn that the wheel was actually worth a small fortune.
As the experts examined the gambling wheel, they were amazed to discover that it was a rare and highly sought-after piece of Americana. The wheel was in pristine condition and had all of its original parts intact, making it an extremely valuable collector’s item.
But the true value of the wheel didn’t become apparent until the experts revealed their estimated appraisal price. The man was floored when they told him that the wheel was worth a staggering £50,000 – far more than he had ever imagined.
While the man was thrilled by the news of his unexpected windfall, his daughter, who was sitting nearby, was not so thrilled. The young girl, who looked to be around 10 years old, was visibly shaken by the news of the wheel’s value.
“I was scared to death when I heard how much that thing was worth,” the girl later told reporters. “I thought my dad was going to sell it and we wouldn’t have it anymore. I love playing with that wheel, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing it.”
Thankfully, her father reassured her that he had no intention of selling the gambling wheel. He explained that he had always planned to pass it down to her when she was older, and that he hoped it would continue to be a cherished family heirloom for generations to come.
The incident serves as a reminder that while antiques and collectibles can be valuable assets, their true worth often lies in the sentimental value they hold for their owners. And for one young girl on the Antiques Roadshow set, the value of her family’s gambling wheel will always be priceless.
