Ironman Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 Hey you experts,I have a question for you guys. I entered a quartz/gold specimen for one of my best finds for 2014 with Western Eastern Treasures Magazine. They have contacted me about putting it in the magazine but now want a value. Can you guys shed some light for me on this. The total piece weighs 1.437 oz. After doing a specific gravity on it the gold content is 0.399 leaving 1.038 for the quartz.Thank You in advance!Larry Soper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Ron Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 An interesting piece, but not particularly collectible, IMHO, ... I'd round it to $500 ... Cheers, Unc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman Posted January 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Thanks for your input Unc! Yeah I figured it was worth at least $500. I have always been told that quartz specimens brought more of a premium. At least 1 1/2 times gold content. I know it isn't a real attractive piece but it has at least caught the eye of two magazines. It made the cover of American Digger Magazine and now W & E Treasures Best of 2014!Thanks again!Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reno Chris Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Quartz specimens can bring a premium, sometimes way more than 1.5 times the gold value, but its a beauty thing. If your specimen makes collectors jaws drop because of the beauty or spectacular crystallization, yep, it can be way expensive. Like Uncle Ron, I would not say yours falls in that category. Its a beauty contest thing - if you can win the beauty contest you get the prize, but if you are old and overweight, you will find that you don't win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDdesertman Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 $500 is a fair price based on your numbers. The extra high premiums are highly dependent on the eye-appeal of the piece, and very few make the cut. Nice piece you got for sure, I'd love to dig that up any day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Nice specie either way. Don't think species get the prices they did several years ago though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldies1955 Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Nice gold! Very unique piece.Glad you were able to get it Tom H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 no gold is ugly, but some gold is not attractive. As a buyer, I would offer 75- 80% of spot or about $380-400 for that piece. Then most likely dolly it for smelting. Still, its a great find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Thanks for the replies guys, I really do appreciate them! This has been educational. This find was made last year while I was relic hunting a tent site. You can imagine my surprise when this came out of 5" of dirt! I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I had a guy offer me $750 for it at our bible study group a couple of months ago. No plans to sell until maybe I retire in about 7 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim straight Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Larry... your 'specie' must have some unique eye-appeal if Rosemary posts it as a 'best find'.My congratulations and I'm looking forward to seeing it in the 2014 Best Findsedition... jim straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Thanks Jim! Yeah, Rosemary and Steve have had follow up questions for the past few weeks. This, being the value is the last one. They had different categories for Best Finds of 2014...coin, jewelry, relic, nugget, other. I entered this specimen for the nugget category and my 1851 Model Colt Navy Revolver for the relic category. I personally would have chosen the gun over the gold!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim straight Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Wow... I have had a 30 caliber replica made in Italy since I assembled it from a $49 kit backabout 1981. It was aged by Kassai and it appears battered and holster worn. While it is shootableit is not loaded. A real one, even in battered condition can be worth far more than the nugget. Howeverany replica made in Italy is of quality and I understand that the current factory-made Colts are assembledfrom the Italian-made parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.