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There is no verified, definitive ranking of 15 purchases by Nicolas Cage. The documented stories are striking enough without padding the list: a dinosaur fossil he returned, a Superman comic that was stolen and later sold, unusual former pets, and an array of properties. Here are the best-supported examples, with the distinction between purchases, possessions, and reported anecdotes made clear.
Collectibles with unusual histories
The Tarbosaurus skull Cage returned
Cage paid $276,000 at auction for a fossil skull later identified in reporting as a Tarbosaurus bataar, not a Tyrannosaurus rex. After discovering that it had been removed from Mongolia illegally, he returned it. Vanity Fair’s 2019 account and an Irish Examiner republication of Cage’s interview describe the purchase and its outcome; Cage called it an unfortunate buy. Vanity Fair · Irish Examiner
Action Comics No. 1: bought, stolen, recovered, then sold
Cage bought a copy of Action Comics No. 1—the 1938 issue that introduced Superman—for $150,000 in 1996. It was stolen from his Los Angeles home in 2000, recovered in 2011, and returned to him. Six months later, Cage sold it at auction for $2.2 million, according to the Associated Press. The original is no longer his. Stephen Fishler, CEO of Metropolis Collectibles/ComicConnect, said, “The thief made Nicolas Cage a lot of money by stealing it,” referring to the comic’s increased value by the time it was sold. Associated Press
Shrunken heads and historical objects
In an interview excerpt republished by the Irish Examiner, Cage discussed shrunken heads and his interest in history and objects. This is an account of his stated collecting interests, not independent verification of the provenance or classification of any particular item. Irish Examiner
#1 Best Overall
- 1. 【Pop-Up Glass Doors】The pop-up glass door of this curio cabinet creates an unobstructed view of your collection, while the no-handle design adds sleek sophistication. High-definition glass with no distortion, no discoloration, fully displays the beauty of the collection.
- 2. 【3 Color LED Lights】Display cabinet powered by a high-performance 36W LED system, this cabinet offers exceptional brightness that makes your items shine brilliantly. Switch between white, warm, and blue lighting modes, with adjustable brightness to create the perfect display atmosphere day or night.
- 3. 【Humanized Design】This display cabinet applies an intelligent human body sensing system, the light will automatically turn on and off when you approach or leave, and it is very simple to use. Light up your trophy in the dark and attract everyone's attention.
- 4. 【Large Storage】Boasting spacious dimensions of 31.5' W x 65' H x 14' D, this display cabinet offers ample large storage space on 4 tiers, each level accommodating items of different sizes.
- 5. 【How to Assemble】The display cabinet made of FSC-Certified wood. Detailed instructions and tools are well-packed in one package. It is recommended to follow every steps in the instructions, then arrange each part by their own number will take the assembly quickly. You don't need to worry about broken or lost parts and please feel free to contact us if you have any problem.
Animals Cage owned or was associated with
The pet octopus
Cage has mentioned owning an octopus. In a 2023 60 Minutes interview, he said, “It wasn’t because I spent $80 on an octopus.” That $80 is his quoted figure, not a verified estimate of the full cost of keeping the animal. CBS News / 60 Minutes
Two king cobras
Accounts of Cage’s former pets describe two king cobras, named Sheba and Moby in coverage. After neighbors objected, the snakes were reportedly rehomed at a zoo. They are historical pets, not evidence that Cage owns cobras now. The Washington Post
Rank #2
- 【6-Tier Large Capacity】With full dimensions of 71" H × 31.5" W × 13.8" D, this display cabinet offers a tall 6-tier layout that provides generous space for collectibles, figures, books, trophies, and home décor. The vertical design maximizes storage and display capacity compared to standard curio cabinets.
- 【Adjustable Glass Shelves】This glass display cabinet includes multi-level shelves that can be installed or removed, with each shelf adjustable by 2.5 inches. The flexible setup helps organize collectibles of different heights, keeping your display case tidy and well-arranged.
- 【Pop-Up Glass Door】This display cabinet features a pop-up glass door with a clean, handle-free design that offers a clear, wide view of your collection. The high-definition glass of this display case ensures no distortion and highlights every detail of your collectibles, making it a standout curio cabinet for any room.
- 【3-Color LED Lights】Equipped with 3-color LED lights—white, warm, and blue—this display cabinet enhances visibility across your display shelves even at night. Brightness is adjustable to match your room’s ambiance, allowing your display case to present your collectibles in the best possible light.
- 【Motion Sensor Design】This curio cabinet includes an intelligent human body sensor that automatically turns the lights on when you approach and off when you leave. Convenient, modern, and energy-efficient, it makes your display case more interactive and functional, while beautifully showcasing your display shelf items.
The two-headed snake
A two-headed snake features in accounts of Cage’s unusual animal interests. In a WIRED interview, he recounted that a friend found one after Cage had expressed interest in such an animal. The anecdote does not establish a conventional purchase, so it belongs among the unusual possessions and stories rather than a confirmed retail buy. WIRED · The Guardian
Vehicles and property
A Lamborghini associated with the Shah of Iran
The Los Angeles Times reported in 2009 that Cage had bought a Lamborghini Miura SVJ associated with the Shah of Iran, for nearly $500,000. That is a historical reported purchase price, not a current valuation. Los Angeles Times
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Rank #3
- 【Pop-Up Glass Doors】This corner curio cabinet with magnetic glass doors creates an unobstructed view of your collectibles. While the space-saving 90 degrees design suitable for any corner, maximize space utilization, leaving plenty of room for other furniture.
- 【3 Color LED Lights】This glass display cabinet features 3 color LED lights (white light, warm light, blue light), brightness adjustable. Add a modern touch to your living space and allow for clear display even in the dark.
- 【Large Storage Capacity】This storage cabinet has fantastic 4-side glass pane doors, offers 4 tiers ample storage space for displaying collectibles, figures, antiques, wine, books and decor pieces. From living rooms and bedrooms to offices.
- 【Smart Human Sensor】With its intelligent human body sensing system, this china cabinet automatically turns on/off when you approach or leave within 2-3 meter, making it incredibly easy to use.
- 【Quick & Easy Assembly】The display case is made of FSC-Certified wood and come with clear instructions and tools, dimensions of 33.5" W x 65" H x 23.6" D, each shelf can hold up to 40lbs. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Castles, islands, and other homes
Cage’s real-estate history includes multiple homes and properties, not one novelty purchase. In a 2023 interview, he acknowledged castles in Germany and England, an island, and a New Orleans mansion. The Los Angeles Times’ 2009 account described an English castle, a German estate, two Bahamian islands, and other homes. These are dated reports of properties in his portfolio, not claims of current ownership. CBS News / 60 Minutes · Los Angeles Times
The LaLaurie mansion
The Guardian identifies New Orleans’ notorious LaLaurie mansion as one of Cage’s former extravagances. It is a former property, not a current possession. The Guardian
Rank #4
- 【Pop-Up Glass Doors】The pop-up glass door of this curio cabinet creates an unobstructed view of your collection, while the no-handle design adds sleek sophistication. High-definition glass with no distortion, no discoloration, fully displays the beauty of the collection.
- 【3 Color LED Lights】Display cabinet features 3 color LED lights that add a modern touch to your living space and allow for clear display even in the dark. 3 colors lights: white light, warm light, blue light, brightness adjustable.
- 【Humanized Design】This display cabinet applies an intelligent human body sensing system, the light will automatically turn on and off when you approach or leave, and it is very simple to use. Light up your trophy in the dark and attract everyone's attention.
- 【Versatile Use】- This storage cabinet is perfect for showcasing your figurines, photos, books, or other items, making it a great addition to your collection area. Please note that the height of this cabinet is 63", which is inconsistent with the height of another glass display cabinet in this store.
- 【Easy to Assemble】The display cabinet is made of FSC-Certified wood, glass and acrylic. Easy to assemble with a detailed manual and provided tools, making it a hassle-free addition to your home decor. The cabinet is light, so please install the anti-tipping device provided.
Rhode Island property and the Holy Grail
Vanity Fair’s 2019 interview links discussion of Cage’s Rhode Island property with his personal search for the Holy Grail. The account does not establish that he bought the property solely to find it, so the motive should not be treated as fact. Vanity Fair
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What these stories do—and do not—say about Cage’s finances
In his 2023 60 Minutes interview, Cage described the financial problem as over-investment in real estate followed by a market crash: “I was over-invested in real estate,” he said, adding, “The real estate market crashed, and I couldn’t get out in time.” He told CBS he had repaid about $6 million in debts and taxes. His octopus remark was a correction to a question about spending, not an explanation of the broader financial history. CBS News / 60 Minutes
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Why this is not a ranked list of 15
“Most surprising” is a subjective framing, and the available reporting supports memorable examples rather than a definitive ranking of 15 separately documented purchases. Some stories concern returned or sold collectibles, some concern former pets, and others concern residences. Treating them as 15 equivalent buys—or implying that every item remains in Cage’s possession—would overstate what is established.
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