In October 2015, a quiet visit to an antique shop in Fresno, California led to a discovery that would reverberate through the world of American history. A collector purchased a small, faded photograph for just two dollars, assuming it was little more than a curious relic. Years later, that modest purchase would be authenticated as a rare image of Billy the Kid, instantly transforming a forgotten tintype into a multimillion-dollar treasure.
The photograph presents an unexpected scene: Billy the Kid, relaxed and seemingly carefree, participating in a game of croquet. The outlaw is shown standing among several men believed to be members of The Regulators, the group with which he was closely associated during the Lincoln County War. Thought to have been taken in the summer of 1878, possibly during a wedding celebration, the image captures a fleeting moment of normalcy in the life of a man better known for gunfights and bloodshed.
Once the possibility of the subject’s identity became apparent, the photograph was submitted to Kagin’s Inc., a firm renowned for its expertise in rare coins and historical artifacts. Recognizing the magnitude of the claim, the firm embarked on a painstaking authentication process that would last more than a year. Specialists from various disciplines were consulted, each examining minute details such as facial structure, posture, period clothing, weapons, and environmental features visible in the background.
David McCarthy, Kagin’s senior numismatist, explained that initial skepticism was unavoidable. Authentic images of Billy the Kid are exceedingly rare, with only one other confirmed photograph known to exist. Because of this, the team demanded conclusive proof rather than surface-level similarities. The investigation included on-site examinations of the suspected location, historical cross-referencing, and advanced photographic analysis to ensure nothing had been overlooked.
The results ultimately confirmed the photograph’s authenticity, placing it in the same category as the famed 1880 tintype taken in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. That image, measuring just two by three inches, sold for $2.3 million in 2010. The newly authenticated photograph, larger and featuring multiple recognizable figures, is now estimated to be worth approximately $5 million, making it one of the most valuable images from the Old West ever discovered.
Beyond its staggering monetary value, the photograph enriches the historical understanding of Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty and later known as William H. Bonney. While folklore credits him with 21 killings, historical records suggest he was directly responsible for four deaths and involved in five others. His story ended in 1881 when Sheriff Pat Garrett killed him at Fort Sumner. This newly revealed image adds nuance to his legend, showing not a hardened criminal, but a young man momentarily at ease, frozen in time through an extraordinary twist of fate.
