Category: Treasure Hunt

Hi, Donna,

I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this chair. I purchased it at a yard sale over 15 years ago and I am wondering if it is worth anything. I am looking to sell it. As you can see it folds up nicely so that it doesn’t take up much storage space. I don’t see any maker marks on it. The seat and back appear to be in excellent shape, but the frame is fairly scratched or worn. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Judy

Dear Judy,

Your folding rocker does seem to be in good shape for the age (early 1900s). It does look like at some point it has been refinished and possibly reseated. The rose carving on the top is sweet.

It’s a tough piece because even though it is officially an antique it’s not very sought after for today’s decor.

For marketing it, a value would be in the $75 range. I am not sure how easy that would be. I might try a consignment store. Remember, though, you will only get part of the value.

Judy, I hope this helped and you find a new home for your sweet chair.

Dear Donna,

I picked up this necklace at a local flea market. It’s marked 14 KT on the clasp. Could the diamonds be real? Cindy

Dear Cindy,

I think the only real way to have the stones checked would be a jeweler. They have diamond testers within reach. It takes just a minute to tell. I believe any jewelry store would do this at no cost.

For now the value in your necklace would be for a gold chain. If the stones are diamond that would increase the value. It’s tough when the stones are so small, though, to produce a very high value. When valuing diamonds, you want them to be in the 1 carat size or more. Then there are many factors in determining a value: cut, clarity, color, inclusions and any damage to the stone.

Cindy, if the stones are diamond chips the value would be in the $200+ range retail. If not, the value is in the gold if it’s real (the jeweler can test that as well). The chain itself will be in the $80+ range.

I hope this helps and good luck with your results. Thanks for sharing.

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.