Canon Jamie MacLeod's painting was the real McCoy, or more accurately, the real van Dyck, after the legendary 17th century artist. Over a decade ago, the English priest bought a piece at an antique shop advertised as an Anthony van Dyck copy for around $800 (which to this amateur art historian sounds like a fair amount for a copy and a fair amount for a priest to be spending on one, but that's a story for another time; MacLeod said he bought it mostly for the gold frame, according to the Business Recorder), the New Zealand Herald reported. By the hunch of Antiques Road Show host Fiona Bruce, who spotted the painting when MacLeod had brought it to a show covered by the program (around the same time the British television series was preparing for a special on van Dyck), he had it appraised, according to the Herald. According to the Business Recorder, however, it was Phillip Mould, the BBC's art expert, who first suspected the painting's authenticity and advised MacLeod to have it examined. Likely, Bruce passed on her suspicions to Mould, who was convinced enough to call in world-renowned van Dyck expert, Christopher Brown.

After weeks of verification by Brown, in which he had to remove the top layer of paint, the portrait of a Brussels magistrate believed to be part of a larger set of works (that were eventually destroyed) was declared legitimate. Its value went from $800 to $400,000, according to the Business Recorder.

"It's everyone's dream to spot a hidden masterpiece, I'm thrilled that my hunch paid off. To discover a genuine van Dyck is incredibly exciting. I'm so pleased for [MacLeod]," Bruce told the Herald.

MacLeod was similar enthused, and plans to put his earnings back into the church by adding new bells. (I don't know how much church bells cost so it's unclear if he'll be putting all or part of his earnings, once the piece sells, into the donation).

"It's been an emotional experience and it's such great news. It's wonderful that new church bells hopefully will be pealing out to commemorate the centenary of the [end of the] First World War in 2018," MacLeod said.

Running since 1979, the Antiques Road Show appraises antiques submitted by average English citizens. The van Dyck portrait will be the show's most lucrative discovery in its history. MacLeod's piece debuted today on the BBC. If only he had plucked a a van Dyck self-portrait: one of those once sold for $12 million!