Hunting through antique stores, estate sales, yard sales and auctions is no new phenomenon, but as antique shows on television and the Internet gain in popularity, you may see an increase in buyers and sellers with unique treasures. Whether you have an eye for specific memorabilia or have been on an adventure for any treasure that catches your fancy, consider looking for a few target areas that could fetch great resale value for you.
Military Memorabilia With Pomp And Circumstance
There are many antique hunters and collectors in search of specific military memorabilia. Whether it's an old pistol or an even older sword, items of wars and service past have a place in someone's collection.
There are multiple categories within military memorabilia alone. Different weapons can be compared for their function, such as a rifle still being able to fire or a sword coming with its official scabbard. Some may be ceremonial weapons with a polished shine for decades or centuries, while others may be worth more by having a rust or corrosion that can identify the age. The patina that forms on copper and bronze can actually add value, much to the chagrin of people with good intentions who scrape and clean the seemingly filthy material away.
Gold has held a desirable shine for a long time, and military memorabilia is no stranger to its appeal. Although many ceremonial swords, timepieces and coins are made of brass with a careful shine, there are times where a gold version of ranking devices and awards.
Challenge coins (also known as command coins) are often handed out with official rewards or at random recognition of amazing events. There is no single official form of a challenge coin; specific military commands or bases can have a new design made by the commanding officer made out of brass, brass with a gold or silver finish or even pure gold. The challenge coin goes beyond just tradition; a specific coin can have secret meanings depending on what it's made of.
Searching For Official Memorabilia Authenticity
If you're trying to find the source of an object from the military, start with military experts who have connections and experience with the military. If there's a name or military base listed, contact that base's administrative office and ask for a historian. If there's no historian, politely mention your memorabilia and be aware that they may not have time to immediately answer questions.
Using the challenge coin example, you may be able to find someone who worked for that specific chain of command. Whether it's a crew of a ship, the staff of a base or even a small military group that no longer exists, there's likely to be documentation.
If you're trying to find out what the memorabilia is made out of, be sure to consult jewelry and antique experts. Companies advertising slogans such as "we buy gold", for example, may be able to test the metal content. For more information, contact Rocky Mountain Gold & Silver Exchange or a similar company.
