One Man’s Treasure…is another man’s TREASURE.

Don’t be fooled, don’t be separated, don’t give up too quickly.

Just a few years ago one of the most prominent auction houses in the world, with all their “expert” knowledge, failed to see a painting for what it was. Indeed, an historic, “unique” (one of a kind) work which depicted the only Revolutionary War time field tent of General George Washington.

That’s correct. They missed it—entirely. The astonishingly important work was picked off by a museum for a paltry $12,000.00, a tiny fraction of its true value.

No doubt, previously, ownership principles were told “insignificant”, “some sort of reproduction of a time”, “nice, but not for us”… or some other common nonsense lazy experts and “houses” of the connected throw out there. Why? They are too lazy or too busy or too rich to invest time into something not already “signed off on”.

This, my friends, allows smart collectors to find their way to important, exciting and windfall opportunities, that while they may take some time, pay off beyond wildest dreams.

Its far more common than you think.

More than a decade ago, out of the blue, with the collected and organized interest of insiders riding the headlines of major record breaking sales and stories, getting flush with cash, suddenly, a coin, previously derided by the experts as a fake, was proclaimed the last of the 5 missing Liberty Head V Nickels from 1913, once presumed lost in a car accident by the owner. Alas, massive media blitz ensued, experts now agreed, exhibits went on tour, and all led up to …you guessed it, a multi-million dollar sale (of an inferior example in terms of condition).

Yes, often times, value is “made” as they say in the collectibles industry.

Why am I telling you this? I’ve learned the game over 20 plus years, and I’m fully engaged in and studied up on and attune to the realities of the game that can make the collector the benefactor, rather than the insiders. This is a passion of mine.

This happens in the art world where gate keepers diminish true works worth many millions, even tens of millions, until and unless the right people are, shall we say, “included” in the action. Then, alas, the headlines hit from a “barn find”, or some attic find in Europe, for decades frowned upon, and now, RECOGNIZED… and worth a staggering fortune. Note, most often, this occurs AFTER some insider attained an “interest” in the work.

My friends, logic holds, we will always find new finds of importance. The world, and its history, its craftsmen and artisans, are too vast for new stories not to continue to appear. They are more common and more attainable than one might first think.

Just recently a story broke on a 1776 Continental Dollar (largely designed by Ben Franklin) which was bought by the owner for less than a single dollar, yes, less than 100 cents. Its value? Over $100,000.00 USD. Thrown into a box with many other “junk” coins, dismissed as a fake or unworthy of inquiry… the entire box was bought for nothing. A little time and effort and opportunity…changed everything.

I’ve seen it happen with coins, art, autos, guns, glass, artifacts, documents, books, pens, guitars, violins, nearly every collectible category you can imagine. We see more, we find more, we learn more, and more info becomes more accessible to us all, all the time, making it more difficult for insiders to keep you locked out. That is good news. Further, as noted above, they’ve often become so lazy and fat on the prizes, that the incentive is too low, in their minds, to put work into something someone else has not previously put work into. Amazing, but true.

To highlight one more, a recent rarities hunt, for important manuscripts, turned up a one of a kind letter from none other than Thomas Jefferson. Found in a basement, in boxes of mostly unimportant items, hiding away for 50 years, the letter, addressing the importance of American innovation, is worth at least $50,000.00. The hunt was worth it.

So, who is up for a treasure hunt? Who has treasures that have been denounced? Who has a compelling item that needs more study and opportunity?

Let us know, get it to us, and let’s see if we can make another headline!

It is worth every nickel of effort.

We are always actively searching out such opportune “finds”, and we are always eager to see what our clients have had hidden away for, perhaps, years, just giving up or assuming there was no treasure there.

I leave you with one last story. Some years ago, a client called to see if a coin kept in the proverbial “sock drawer” could be worth looking at. It sounded promising, had it sent in, and, the lucky keepsake (kept since she was in grade school) was worthy many tens of thousands of dollars.

Her little treasure (the size of a small fingernail), was indeed, a treasure.

These stories unfold every day, and they are worth telling.

Who is in?

Let’s go find and make treasure happen!!