12 Rare and Valuable Relics From the Wild West
The Wild West was a time of adventure, lawlessness, and larger-than-life figures with unmatched nicknames. And while the legends of outlaws, lawmen, and gunfights have lived on through stories and movies, the memorabilia that survives from that era is truly priceless.
From iconic photos to personal items once owned by figures like Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday, these are some of the most valuable relics from the Wild West.
1. Billy the Kid’s Photo (Tintype)
Since there weren’t smartphones in the Wild West, photos of the outlaws, lawmen, and other gunslingers who made a name for themselves in the era are scarce. The only confirmed photo of the legendary Billy the Kid sold for a jaw-dropping $2.3 million in 2011. Snapped outside a New Mexico saloon around 1880, the tintype shows him holding a Winchester and rocking a Colt .45 on his hip. Billionaire William Koch won the item way over the expected price, and said he just wanted to “enjoy” the piece of history. Not bad for an old photo passed down from one cattle rustler to another.
2. Jesse James’ Revolvers
Jesse James’ guns are always hot-ticket items, but the one that brought in the biggest bucks is — ironically — the revolver used to kill him. The Smith & Wesson said to have been used by Bob Ford sold for $350,000, despite ongoing debates about whether it was actually the gun that did the deed. The piece also has a wild backstory: It was stolen from a Missouri museum in the ’60s, ransomed by British antique dealers, and sold at auction decades later. Whether or not it’s the true murder weapon, collectors clearly couldn’t resist the drama.
3. Doc Holliday’s Personal Effects
Doc Holliday’s personal items have a habit of stealing the show — and the bids — at Wild West auctions. His frock coat, expected to go for just a few thousand, shocked everyone when it sold for $55,000. Even his old dental chair brought in $40,000. Whether it’s his gear, his legend, or just that cool mix of gunslinger and gentleman, anything tied to Holliday tends to spark serious collector frenzy.
4. Original Wanted Posters
Original wanted posters from the Wild West are catnip for collectors — especially when they feature legendary outlaws. A Pinkerton’s circular offering a $2,000 reward for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid after a Nevada bank heist sold for a whopping $4,500, which is astounding given the reward price.
5. Native American War Bonnets and Regalia
Hand-crafted headdresses carry deep cultural meaning — and serious auction value. A circa 1890–1900 Blackfoot war bonnet with split buffalo horns sold for $11,685 at auction. It came from the collection of noted historian and conservationist Lowell Baier and had once been valued at just $6,000.
6. Anything Tied to Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp is without a doubt one of the biggest names from the Wild West. If Earp’s name is on it, collectors are ready to throw down. At one packed auction, more than 6,000 online bidders and 400 in-person collectors swarmed for a shot at Earp-related artifacts. The star of the show was a Colt .45 reportedly carried by Earp during his Tombstone days, possibly even during the legendary O.K. Corral shootout. It blew past expectations, selling for $225,000.
7. Wild Bill Hickock’s Deadwood Revolver
Deadwood lore is pretty well dominated by Wild Bill Hickock, culminating with his poker game murder. The revolver Hickcock was said to be carrying during his slaying headed to auction with estimates between $150,000 to $300,000, while another of the gunslinger’s pistols sold for $616,975 in 2022.
8. Memorabilia From Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show is an iconic piece of American history, and memorabilia from the legendary spectacle is highly prized. A painted canvas banner showcasing Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley advertising the “Rough Riders of the World” and “The Peerless Wing Shot” (a nod to Oakley’s sharpshooting prowess) sold for $4,700 at auction.
9. U.S. Marshal Items
When it comes to Wild West memorabilia, anything tied to legendary U.S. Marshals holds serious value. A legal document signed by Bass Reeves, dated August 9, 1884, records the formation of a posse under Reeves’ leadership to capture criminals in Indian Territory. It details arrests made by Reeves and his team, including the capture of James Market for assault. It sold for a staggering $11,500 at auction, likely due to the inclusion of Reeves’ signature.
10. Photos of Jesse James & Family
Family photos of Jesse James and his relatives are rare treasures for collectors. A collection including tintypes of Frank James and his family, along with albumen photos of the James brothers standing with their families, sold for $11,000 at auction. The collection also included shots of Robert James (Frank’s son) and Charles A. Morgan Jr. in his Nashville Police uniform and a tintype of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Meadows, along with other period photos. Before heading to auction, the photos belonged to a descendent of the James family, adding to their authentic allure.
11. Signed Playing Cards
Signed playing cards — especially when they’re linked to iconic figures like Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, and Virgil Earp — are one of the more coveted items among Wild West collectors. A 4 of Clubs card signed by the Earp brothers and Holliday sold for $6,250 at auction.
12. Hand-Written Letters With Signatures
It doesn’t get much more authentic than signed, hand-written letters to commemorate the gunslinging days of the Wild West, and collectors are willing to pay big money for some of them. A letter Wild Bill Hickok wrote on June 22, 1874 sold for a hefty $18,000 at auction. Not only does it feature his signature, but it also offers a rare, personal glimpse into his life during a crucial time in history. It’s like reading his diary without the fear of being shot for doing so.