Author: Donna Welch

Hello, Donna,

I have a half dozen of these rolls. All are pennies from the 1930s through 1960s. Not sure if I should open them up or leave them. With pennies not being made any more, I was hoping you could point me in a direction to evaluate them.

Ed

Dear Ed,

Your rolls of pennies I can say are worth more than 50 cents each now. I think it’s also safe to say, not opening them.

Ed, what you need to do is find a local coin dealer/collector, someone you feel comfortable with. I would think at that point, they would open them. I found rolls with similar aged pennies in the $20+ range. Now it really depends on contents in your rolls. But just one rare or hard to find one could change everything. You could have a treasure.

After I got my first evaluation, I think I would always get a second opinion as well. Whether they are $20 for all or much more, you want the best offer. Ed, if you need assistance, you can call me and I can refer you in a couple directions. I hope you have a treasure!

Dear Donna,

This bracelet belonged to my sister. I now have inherited it. My question is about cleaning it. I would like to pass it to my granddaughter. I wouldn’t want to ruin it in any way. Thank you for any help.

Ed

Dear Ed,

Passing on your sister’s charm bracelet is a sweet piece of family. Love it! Charm bracelets are a great way to show personal interest. Most reflect memories, likes, travel history, etc., so passing it on, Ed, will carry family history. For cleaning it, I recommend a liquid silver cleaner. Whether it’s sterling silver (if sterling each one will be marked sterling or 925) or silver-plated, liquid will work best. Using a cream will cause build-up in tiny hard to get to places. There are many good cleaners out there today. After cleaning it, store it wrapped in a cloth or paper towel. An airtight bag also will protect it from re-tarnishing.

Values on charm bracelets are all over the spectrum, depending on age, maker, being mechanical (moving parts) etc. They are also an older item that is more valuable clean. No one wants to wear a tarnished silver bracelet.

Dear Donna,

Enclosed are pictures of a carpenter’s chest from possibly the late 1800s or early 1900s that was my husband’s great-uncle’s. The chest has dovetails and multiple species of wood. Might you have an idea of its worth?

Thank you,

Karen

Dear Karen,

Thank you for all the photos, it helps!

Your husband’s great-uncle’s tool box is not that uncommon. Imagine the time this was the average size of your tool box.

Your date estimate is correct for the box. Most were made of multiple woods. Dovetailing is for strength and durability. Karen, I can tell you, doing business in Manchester and surrounding areas I have seen lots of them. Including my own uncle’s as well.

Working in many fields you needed to have many tools with you. Now you can use one or two tools to do the same job.

Collectibility depends on construction, appearance, cleanliness and always condition. Putting all these factors in place, some values can be in the $100+ range.

Thanks for sharing, Karen. I hope this helps.

Hello, Donna.
This was my mom’s doll dresser and now belongs to me. I actually use it for jewelry on my own dresser. Can you provide any information for me on it? It’s in very good shape and the mirror is intact.
Thanks, Donna
Patti

Dear Patti,
I want to start off by saying glad to see you still using it! Antique doll furniture and related items are still collectible. It seems everyone still likes the memories they bring.
Your small oak doll dresser looks to be from right after the early 1900s. Most likely it was part of a play set.
The pieces, as today, were made to look like the real furniture in your home, making pretend seem real to a child. How fun that is even today!
The values on doll furniture depend on age, detailing, design, construction etc. Value in your dresser with mirror would be in the $75 range to a collector.
Patti, the best part and value to me is that you still use it today!
Thanks for sharing.

Dear Donna,

I was ready to put this in a yard sale this summer. My sister said “no, it could be worth a lot of money.” She said to ask you. Hopefully you can help resolve this.

Thank you, Donna,

Ann

Dear Ann,

Corningware can be very collectible. It’s been around since the 1950s, made in Corning, New York. Some pieces can be worth more than others; the age of the pieces, rarity, pattern and condition all are factors. I have seen some pieces with values into the thousands. Tough to believe for cookware pieces, but true. I grew up with Corningware and my mom used it a lot. I remember the blue and white pattern in the cabinets.

Your pattern French Spice was in production from the 1970s to the late 1980s. Your 5-quart with the cover would be in the $50 range. Having the cover is a bonus. Uncovered would have less value.

So your sister was right in checking!

Thanks for sharing, Ann, and good luck finding it a new home. Maybe worth keeping now?

Hello, Donna.

The photo of the spoon I sent you is from my family. My mom had it and used it for serving mashed potatoes. Now I have inherited it and I too use it a lot.

My question is how can I keep it from looking like this? It has such a pretty design, but covered by all the tarnish. I have cleaned it a couple of times but never keeping it that way.

Would you have any advice for me?

Thank you, Donna,

Sue

Dear Sue,

You probably know I have a smile on my face right now. I enjoy knowing the old is still being used!

Unfortunately unless they have recently come out with a magic cleaner and non-tarnishing product all silver-plated items when exposed to air tarnish.

My only suggestion would be to make sure it’s completely dry after washing it. Then wrap in a paper towel and put away in an air-tight zip-close bag.

Sue, I know this sounds like a lot of work but it will preserve the polished clean finish longer. Not a cure! Just a temporary fix!

With sterling and silver-plated ware it will always be an ongoing battle. Air is an enemy — that’s why they have flatware boxes for them.

Sue, I hope it gives you an idea. Glad to know you use it as well. Thanks for the question. Good luck!