Amazing Appraising with Lee the Appraiser: Discover the Value of Your Items

Welcome to another episode of Amazing Appraising with Lee the Appraiser! Today, we have a fascinating lineup of items to discuss, including a unique watch and a collection of coins. Joining us is Holly from Washington DC, who has brought in some intriguing items for appraisal.

A Glimpse into Holly’s Collection

Holly, welcome to the show! How did you hear about us?

- Holly: "I was referred by Mr. Greenfield."

Ah, the renowned Mr. Greenfield! He sends us many interesting clients. Let's dive into what you've brought today. You have a watch and some coins, correct?

Examining the Morgan Silver Dollar

First, let's talk about your 1921 United States Morgan silver dollar. This coin marks the last year the Morgan dollars were minted, running from 1878 to 1921. The 1921 Morgan silver dollar is quite common, as tens of millions were produced.

Check the back of your coin; there’s a small "D" mark, indicating it was minted in Denver, Colorado. The absence of a mark would indicate Philadelphia, an "S" for San Francisco, and an "O" for New Orleans.

Now, let’s assess its condition. The wear on the coin is evident, particularly on the high points such as the ribbon in Liberty's hair, the ear, and the eye. Additionally, the breast feathers on the eagle are worn, which is typical as these are the highest points on the coin and wear down first.

Holly’s Coin Collection

Holly, I see you have more coins. Let’s pour them out and take a closer look. These appear to be similar in nature, all falling within a general range of value.

Investigating the Mysterious Watch

Now, onto the watch. Holly, you mentioned that your grandmother believed it was a diamond watch, supported by a certificate. This certificate states that all diamonds used by the watch manufacturer are conflict-free. However, upon closer examination and testing, these stones are not diamonds but high-quality crystals.

The confusion likely arises from a mistake during the sale; the certificate is intended for watches that do contain diamonds. Given the watch was purchased for $299 at Macy's, it’s clear that at this price point, the stones are crystals, not diamonds.

Understanding Conflict-Free Diamonds

It's important to understand the concept of conflict-free diamonds. These are ethically sourced to avoid funding violence and ensuring fair labor practices. The certificate you have ensures that if the watch had diamonds, they would be conflict-free.

Value and Selling Advice

Holly, if you're considering selling the watch, it's valued at around $100 to $150. Despite being unworn, the watch is 20 years old and may need a new battery. As for the coins, they’re generally valued at around $25 to $30 each, depending on condition.

Conclusion

Thank you, Holly, for bringing in your items. Remember, always verify the representation of items and their certificates. If you have any questions or need appraisals, contact us at APR57. Tune into our radio show every Sunday night for more amazing appraisals.

Join us next time for another episode of Amazing Appraising!