Castle Auctions: Is There Gold In Your Garage?

Not many homes in Cyprus feature an Attic so you are unlikely to find cash in one here, however the idea of turning unwanted items into money you can use for better things is still a good idea so we hope to give you a quick guide to some pre-loved possessions that you might have around your Cyprus home that may be worth more than you think. A recent survey in the UK found Brits have a staggering £5.7 Billion* of unused household items which equates to around €5000 per home with most having no idea what the value of their items are worth. So if the Cyprus Summer Sun is keeping you in doors perhaps you could think about a clear out and turning unwanted items into cash.

 

Sorting Treasure from Trash

Birds eggs, stuffed animals, bar mirrors, Star Wars figurines, teaspoons, military medals, bus tickets, there are collectors for just about any item you care to name. Collectables come in all shapes and sizes, but what will make one object more desirable than another? Whatever a collection might contain, you can be certain that its owner will be very particular about what gets included.

Being old or an antique does not necessarily make something valuable. A dedicated collector will want to know that an object is of quality and in good condition. They will be particularly interested in its rarity. They may want to know the item’s history (provenance) and of course they will be concerned about its price. A Royal Doulton figurine with a crack or small piece missing may be worth only a third of the value of one in good condition so bear this in mind when looking for things to sell.

Some common items people may have that are very saleable are:

 

LP Vinyl Records

The world has gone digital and we are all now used to watching our TV or listening to music through streaming on the internet. However there has been a massive resurgence in collecting and playing LP Vinyl records with the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Black Sabbath being some of the most desirable. If you have a Mint copy of the punk band the Sex Pistols ‘God Save The Queen’ (1977) it could be worth €10,000! If you have a record player to play them on that should sell well too!

 

Gold, Silver and Jewellery

The world’s economies have pushed up the prices of Gold and precious metals making Hallmarked items particularly saleable, so check your necklace clasps and the inside of rings and bracelets for markings or numbers. The numbers 375 on gold means it is 9 carat, 585 is 14 Carat, 750 is 18 Carat and 990 is 24 carat gold. Common marks on silver are 800, 880 and 925 designating their purity but be careful of less valuable silver plated items which may have marks such as E.P. or E.P.N.S which stands for Electroplated Nickel Silver.

Wristwatches from the 1960’s and onwards are also popular with brands such as Omega starting from €200.

 

Sewing Machines

Particularly popular in Cyprus are old sewing machines such as Singer or Jones especially if they come with their original treadle or table. The majority that come through the doors of the auction are in good working order and make attractive and functional ornaments in people’s homes.

 

Radio’s and Gramophones

A vintage radio or gramophone has been through times of war, peace, social upheaval and through its speakers, the songs and stories of society were played to audiences who eagerly listened. For these reasons many people enjoy collecting and repairing vintage and antique radios and gramophones. Some manufacturers have a reputation for high quality such as GE, RCA, Emerson, Phillips and HMV. Depending on their generation readers may know HMV as the large music store or as the recording label His Masters Voice. The name was coined in the 1890s as the title of a painting of a dog named Nipper, listening to a wind-up gramophone.

Whatever you have in your home Castle Auctions are here to help and will be pleased to help you identify and value your items. Just call 7000 78 89 or check our website for more details.

*Source Gumtree.com