| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,101 |
|
|
New Member
United Kingdom
49 Posts |
I have a molten lump of silver that was found 12ft deep whilst digging a trench for water pipes, this is now being looked at by the British museum under the treasure act to asatain whether it could be linked to the war of the roses as it was found nearby to where the battle of Tewksbury took place , my question really is as it cannot be proven of its age because its melted how do I value it ? It weighs approx360g and has tested as 930 silver
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
If the British Museum can't identify the piece, estimate its age and assign a ballpark value to it, I doubt anybody could. If they declared the piece unidentifiable
and somebody else identified it by age and origin, I'd be suspicious of the motives and competence of the other party. If all you have is a lump of molten silver
that defies determination of its age or origin, calculating the value may end up being very simple --- weight x purity x spot value = raw value.
If all else fails you, you might be best off taking it to a high-end antique auction house and seeing if you could have any success with it there.
You need the analysis and input of qualified professional British &/or ancient coin experts, not that of unqualified amateur speculators like me. You're on the
right track dealing with the British Museum. If the piece ends becoming your property, dealing with people they refer you to would likely be the best idea.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Any lump of melted silver connected to an historical event would have added value, but in Britain the treasure act comes into play. Compare a lump connected to the Great London Fire, one to the Blitz and a third to a modern day fire. The first two would have some historical significance but the third probably not. In the latter case, junk silver only. A while back our Journal published a photo of a lump of Barber coins with its story. An ancestor of the present day owner found it while assisting in the cleanup after the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Such a lump is priceless to us. Good luck and let us know what you are told. addition: If you go the route of an auction house, make sure to get clear ownership of it verified by the Museum. You could then tell your story of how and where you found it. Edited by matthewvincent
06/25/2013 09:33 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Mexico
1304 Posts |
Matthew, any chance of a link to that story about the lump? I'd like to read it...
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Sorry, harrison2. It was in our print Journal.
And the last time I posted a picture without getting permission my wrist got slapped.
If I cannot get permission, I could copy the article and send it to you. A last alternative.
Let me see what I can arrange.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
I'm interested in this too... :U
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1195 Posts |
I to an interested in that article, Matthew
|
|
New Member
 United Kingdom
49 Posts |
I too am interested in this story! Any chance of sending it to me matthew to see if I can draw any comparisons
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Send me your email address and I shall send it. There are four attachments which
I cannot send through the PM route.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Mexico
1304 Posts |
For what its worth folks, that was a great read!
|
|
New Member
United Kingdom
49 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
808 Posts |
I've not read the published article, but with any artifact (precious metal or not) it's value is best established by authoritative documentation of it's provenience. I would take great care to keep any and all documentation returned to you by the British Museum regarding your molten coins. Even a tenuous connection to a historic event, if properly documented by a recognized authority (in this case, the British Museum), could greatly enhance the value of your find at auction. Just remember, this documentation and your molten coins must stay together forever. If the documentation is ever lost, your precious silver artifact goes back to being silver scrap. Good luck to you!
|
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 2,101 |
|
Posted 06/25/2013 09:26 am
