A man walked into the Pawn Stars shop with a rare 1922 proof High Relief matte finish coin, hoping to sell it for $20,000. He had won the coin in a poker game, though he wasn’t aware of its value. Rick Harrison, the pawn shop owner, immediately recognized the significance of the coin. The 1922 High Relief Peace Dollar is one of the rarest coins in American history, with only about a dozen known to exist. The high relief refers to the elevated detail of the design, which made it difficult to mint, leading to most of these coins being melted down. This rarity made the coin potentially worth more than $20,000.
Rick, though intrigued, decided to call in an expert to verify its authenticity. He brought in a professional coin grader from NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), who confirmed that the coin was indeed legitimate. It was in good condition, with the expert estimating its value to be between $50,000 and $100,000. After negotiating with Rick, the seller eventually accepted an offer of $80,000, making a significant profit from his poker winnings.
Boutet Shotgun: Napoleon’s Gunsmith
Another seller arrived at the pawn shop with a beautifully crafted Boutet shotgun, an antique firearm he inherited from his father, a collector of antique guns. Boutet was a renowned French gunsmith, famous for his intricate and high-quality firearms. His work was sought after by the elite, including Napoleon Bonaparte, for whom Boutet was the official gunsmith. The seller initially hoped to get $10,000 for the gun.
Rick was fascinated by the craftsmanship and historical significance of the Boutet shotgun but decided to bring in an expert for a more accurate appraisal. The expert was equally impressed and confirmed that the gun was a genuine Boutet piece from the early 19th century. He explained that Boutet guns were highly valued, with some even displayed in prestigious museums like The Met in New York. After testing the shotgun at a firing range and confirming it still worked perfectly, the expert valued the gun at around $30,000. The seller and Rick negotiated, eventually settling on a price of $16,000 for the firearm.
Ceremonial Pottery Duck: A Mysterious Relic
Another seller brought in a pottery duck, claiming it had caused strange events in his home and thus wanted to part with it. He believed the duck to be an ancient artifact from the indigenous people of Mexico. Rick, intrigued by its craftsmanship and potential historical value, called in an expert to verify its authenticity.
The expert confirmed that the duck was a ceremonial piece from 300 BC to 300 AD, used in ancient Mexican tombs. These animal-shaped pottery pieces were placed in tombs to serve as spirit guides or to be consumed in the afterlife. The duck was deemed authentic, and despite some repairs, the expert valued it at around $8,000. After some negotiation, the seller accepted Rick’s offer of $4,000, happy to part ways with the mysterious object.
World War II German Leather Jacket: A Rare Trophy
A man entered the pawn shop with what he believed to be a World War I or II leather biker jacket. The jacket featured patches from the 101st Airborne Division, including references to the Battle of the Bulge and Normandy. However, Rick noticed that the cut of the jacket seemed more European, leading him to question its origin. To clarify its history, Rick brought in an expert on military memorabilia.
The expert confirmed that the jacket was, in fact, a German Luftwaffe pilot’s jacket from World War II. The jacket had likely been taken as a war trophy by an American soldier and customized with American military patches as a personal memento. The expert estimated the jacket’s value at around $12,000. Although the seller initially hoped for $1,000, after learning the jacket’s true worth, he decided to keep it for potential auction, rather than sell it to Rick.
Civil War Pocket Watch: A Timepiece with a Story
A man who had purchased a pocket watch at a garage sale for $20 came to the pawn shop, hoping to sell it. The watch was engraved with the names of two Civil War soldiers and a message stating that one had saved the other’s life at the Battle of Cross Keys. Rick recognized the significance of the engraving and called in a Civil War expert to learn more about the watch’s history.
The expert confirmed that the watch dated back to the 1870s and was likely a post-war gift from one soldier to another. The engraving, which referenced the Battle of Cross Keys, was authentic, and the watch was in excellent condition. Despite the soldiers not being well-known, the historical context of the watch increased its value. After some negotiation, Rick bought the watch for $1,300, a significant profit for the seller, who had only paid $20 for it.
Conclusion
These appraisals from Pawn Stars highlight the fascinating world of rare and valuable items, from a coin won in a poker game to a ceremonial duck believed to have supernatural powers. Each item came with a rich history, whether tied to Napoleon’s gunsmith, ancient Mexican tombs, or World War II memorabilia. The sellers walked away with significant profits, thanks to the expertise of Rick Harrison and his team.
