The top of the coffin, believed to be about 3,000 years old, sold for 12 times its lower estimate in Cambridgeshire.
Stephen Drake, from Willingham Auctions, found the relic covered in cobwebs in a house in Bradwell-on-Sea.
The new owner, who did not want to be named, said it will go to a museum.
The 6 ft 5in (2m) tall Egyptian artefact was owned by big game hunter and journalist Captain 'Tiger' Sarll, who died in 1977.
His granddaughter Ali Watkins attended the sale and said a picture of the sarcophagus was featured in a book presented to Capt Sarll when he appeared on TV show This is Your Life in 1961.
She added it needed restoring as it had woodworm and her grandfather had painted its face.
"He was a great adventurer and travelled the globe… but we don't know the exact history of how it came in his possession," said Ms Watkins.
"We didn't know what it was going to go for but it's a good price and the lady who won the bid was very happy and she thought it was going to go for awful lot more.
"It's going to go to a private museum and I will keep in touch."
Mr Drake said he found the sarcophagus propped up in the corner of a room after being called to help clear Capt Sarll's former home which was being renovated.
"It was like something magical having found it... and then selling for £12,000 is fantastic," he said.
"I felt like Indiana Jones, it was amazing because it was just a normal call.
"The only way into this room was through this big hole in the wall and there was this coffin top covered in cobwebs and dust so it was just like walking into a tomb."
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