How To

How to Own a Piece of History

Now anyone can own an artifact such as this one, the Elgin Marbles.
Now anyone can own an artifact such as this one, the Elgin Marbles.
Member
By Becca
eHow Community Member
(6 Ratings)

Learn the basics about how to buy an authentic artifact including where to go for your purchase.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Do you have a fascination with ancient Egypt? Do you know someone who loves old jewelry? There’s something exciting and unique about giving or receiving a gift of history. Purchasing an authentic historical artifact is easier and cheaper than you may think. The first thing you must do is decide what you want and how much you want to spend. Artifacts can be anywhere from $50 to thousands. What era do you want to purchase from? What region? Do you want a piece of jewelry, coin, or some other type of relic?

  2. Step 2

    The next thing you must do is research the seller of the artifacts. Having confidence in the authenticity of the seller is by far the most important thing to remember when you decide to buy a historical artifact. A good dealer will assist you in your purchase and be knowledgeable in the item. Be wary of those who are unsure of any particular detail you may inquire about. Certificates of authenticity are necessary when purchasing a relic and should always come with the purchase. A confident seller will also offer a return policy or money-back guarantee which further supports their credibility. Having an actual storefront or gallery as opposed to doing business strictly through a virtual store also makes it easier to track someone down should you need to do so. Ancient artifacts can also be found on Ebay, however you must be cautious when making a purchase there. Don't be afraid to ask questions if necessary. How long have they been in business? Have they been formally educated? Where do they get their items from?

  3. Step 3

    Make your purchase! The easiest way to purchase a small artifact is through the amazing Sadigh Gallery in New York City. Through Sadigh you can purchase just about any type of relic priced to suit many different levels of purchaser. They have coins from the Byzantine era for $600 or 19th century pendants from the Holy Land priced reasonably at $99. When you purchase through Sadigh Gallery you don’t have to worry about authenticity; they have been around a long time and are associated with the Smithsonian.

  4. Step 4

    Consider purchasing a more expensive antiquity. If you find this is something you may be interested in doing, your best bet is to go with a gallery. Galleries such as the Glenn Howard Ancient Art studio in Colorado offer beautiful antiquities for a few thousand dollars each. Harlan J. Berk is another respected dealer who has a store in Chicago as well as an online business.

Tips & Warnings
  • Research the dealer rather than the artifact.
  • Don't purchase anything without a valid certificate of authenticity.
  • Don't make a purchase via the web if that is the dealer only form of business.
  • You are always taking a risk when purchasing a relic through an online bidding website such as Ebay.
Photo Credit

Urban via Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5

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