By Michele 
Attention: This story, originally featured in the news in October 2015, is being republished for its significance.
In a captivating twist of fate, a collector in Fresno, California, stumbled upon a treasure when they acquired a vintage photograph for a mere two dollars – an ostensibly insignificant find that turned out to be a potential windfall. The intrigue deepens as the photo prominently showcases the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid, casually participating in a game of croquet.
The estimated value of this historical gem? A staggering $5 million.
The authentication of this remarkable image by Kagin’s Inc., a renowned numismatics firm, has recently made waves in the media. Measuring 4 inches by 5 inches, the tintype captures Billy the Kid and members of his infamous gang, The Regulators, during the summer of 1878, possibly at a wedding.
David McCarthy, Kagin’s senior numismatist, shed light on the exhaustive process of authentication, spanning over a year, emphasizing the meticulous scrutiny required. He stressed that mere resemblance wouldn’t suffice in a case of such significance. A team of experts meticulously examined every detail to confirm the photo’s authenticity.
“When we initially laid eyes on the photograph, skepticism was natural — an original Billy the Kid photo is the ultimate prize in Western Americana,” McCarthy revealed. “After over a year of methodical examination, including my own site inspection, overwhelming evidence of the image’s legitimacy emerged.”
This revelation places the newfound photo alongside the only other known image of Billy the Kid, taken in 1880 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, which fetched $2.3 million in 2010, according to Kagin’s.
Billy the Kid, alias Henry McCarty or William H. Bonney, has secured a prominent position in American folklore as a notorious outlaw and gunslinger. His audacious escape from prison after killing two guards further cemented his legendary status. Although legend attributes 21 killings to him, corresponding to each year of his life, historical records suggest a more modest count of nine.
According to the New Mexico Tourism Department, Billy the Kid was directly responsible for four deaths, including the two guards, and played a role in five others. His legendary escapades concluded when Sheriff Pat Garrett apprehended him and administered justice at Fort Sumner in 1881.
The unveiling of this newly authenticated photo adds a valuable and captivating dimension to the saga of one of the Wild West’s most iconic figures, transforming an ordinary discovery in an antique shop into an invaluable piece of American history.