In a stunning discovery, a collector in Fresno, California, purchased a vintage photograph for just $2, only to find out it could be worth up to $5 million. The photo features the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid playing croquet, capturing him in a rare and casual moment. The image is believed to have been taken in the summer of 1878, possibly at a wedding, alongside his gang, The Regulators.

Kagin’s Inc., a well-known numismatics firm, authenticated the photo earlier this month after a year of detailed investigation. David McCarthy, Kagin’s senior numismatist, explained the extensive verification process, which involved a team of experts scrutinizing every aspect of the photo to confirm its authenticity. McCarthy noted that an original Billy the Kid photo is considered a “Holy Grail” of Western Americana.

This newly authenticated image joins the only other known photograph of Billy the Kid, taken in 1880, which sold for $2.3 million in 2010. The recent discovery is a major addition to the legend of Billy the Kid, whose name is synonymous with the Wild West and who gained fame for his notorious exploits, including his daring prison escape and violent history.

Billy the Kid, whose real name was Henry McCarty, has become a key figure in American folklore. While legends say he was responsible for 21 deaths, historical records suggest he was involved in only nine killings. His legendary life ended when Sheriff Pat Garrett tracked him down and killed him in 1881 at Fort Sumner. The discovery of this photo adds another layer to the enduring mystique of this infamous outlaw.

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