Event offers money for antiques, collectibles

You might not have to go outside with an armful of maps and metal detectors to dig up some buried treasure.

A trip to your attic, basement or garage may just do the trick.

This week, Mitchell will welcome a crew of modern-day treasure hunters with the arrival of the Treasure Hunters Roadshow, to be held Tuesday through Friday at the Ramada Inn.

The event is touring the nation, asking local residents for rare and highly sought pieces of the past, such as pre-1965 coins, musical instruments, vintage toys and jewelry, war and advertising memorabilia, weaponry, and collectibles that are just plain unusual.

According to Matthew Enright, director of operations, Treasure Hunters has set aside $786,000 to spend on the treasures they hope to uncover in their five days in Mitchell.

“People get to come in and see some really rare items they’ve probably never seen before in their lifetime,” said Enright. “It’s kind of like a mystery. You just never know what something could be worth to somebody. I think that’s what drives the excitement.”

Recent finds include a Civil War cache in an attic, over $1.2 million in silver bars buried on an Illinois farm, Confederate money hidden in the walls of a residence uncovered during a remodel, and an Abraham Lincoln hand-written thank you letter.

The show will consist of tables of consultants ready to examine, appraise and buy treasures for the company’s worldwide database of over 6,000 collectors. Local residents are encouraged to bring in their antiques to learn their age, place of origin and the answer to everyone’s favorite question: “What’s it worth?”

Silver coins and vintage guitars are favorite finds lately, Enright said, though there’s a market for most anything that’s rare or collectible. One important thing to keep in mind: the less people handle the items, the better, Enright advised. Cleaning and polishing can remove dust and original finish that is typically wanted with an antique.

“If they’ve got that Lionel train set or that old guitar — don’t touch it,” Enright said.

The Treasure Hunters Roadshow is free to the public and open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Ramada Inn, 1525 W. Havens Street, Mitchell.

“It’s a chance for people to take advantage of the market. The main thing is to keep an open mind and bring as many items as you want,” Enright said.

Tags: treasure hunters, matthew enright, news