How to Find the Value of Antique or Vintage Items

Cast iron skillets are one of many vintage collectibles.

Many people have antique or vintage items that someone gave or passed down to them. While these items have the sentimental value of precious memories, some may also have financial value. Knowing the value of these antiques will help you to decide if you need to insure them. While most people consider gold and silver items as valuable collectibles, other vintage items are also in demand. Some of these other vintage collectibles include embossed milk bottles, vintage cameras, cast iron skillets, crystal, stainless flatware, milk glass and shop tools.

Instructions

1. Examine the item for scratches, dents, faded or peeling paint and any other signs of wear, repairs or damage. If it is a mechanical item, such as a band saw, ascertain if it works properly. Examine handmade items for quality of materials and workmanship.

2. Assign a condition to your antique or vintage item. Some collector websites have a chart that describes the criteria for each grade. You will find some links in References and Resources. If no description is available on the Internet, ask the reference librarian of your public library to help you locate the information.

3. Identify the manufacturer and model or pattern. This can sometimes be difficult with vintage flatware, crystal and cast iron skillets as they sometimes have only a symbol. Check the Resources section for help with these items.

4. Visit a collectors website to find out if you have a rare antique. Rarity and demand are important components of an item's value. Some features that increase demand include manufacturing errors, such as double strikes on coins, and historical significance, such as war slogans on embossed milk bottles. You will find some links in References.

5. Research the timeline of development to find out if you have a first year collectible. For example, Brownie cameras made during the first year of production are more valuable than those made 10 years later.

6. Locate the original packaging, instruction manual and any other inserts. These items increase the value of your collectibles.

7. Check the recent selling prices for vintage items the same as yours. Check with major auction houses that specialize in your item. If the prices were similar during several recent auctions for an item in the same condition as yours, you can calculate the average value of your antique or vintage item.

References

• National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors: Education
• Collector Cafe: Collectible Cameras
• How To Grade Coins: Coin Grading Scale
• Cast Iron Cookwares: Collecting Antique Cast Iron Cookware

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Union Hill Antique Tools: A Beginners Guide to Collecting Antique Tools
• Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers Marks: Index
• US Antique Dealer: Find An Antique Dealer
• Historic Camera: Timeline of Historic Cameras
• Match Your Crystal: Pattern Index
• Best Coin: Coin Pricing Guide