What to look for in an antique or collectible 

When you’re trying to work out if an antique or collectible has value, there are certain things to look for. With a major purchase, it may be worth seeking expert advice before you commit, but there are also certain general guidelines to follow. 

How rare is it?  

As with most things in life, the rarer it is, the more likely that it will be in demand. This of course will push up its value. Antiques that were made in limited quantities are more likely to be worth something today than those which were mass-produced. If the antique or collectible in question is something you see regularly in shops, it’s probably quite common and therefore worth a bit less. 

This means that limited edition pieces or items produced to commemorate a special event could be worth more – the flipside of this is that more people may have kept them for exactly this reason.

Delicate or fragile items are less likely to have survived for many years, which again makes them rarer and potentially more valuable. 

Interestingly, items with errors such as misprinted stamps or coins with incorrect dates can turn out to be worth a lot more than regular examples. 

What condition is it in?  

The state that an antique or collectible is in can make an enormous difference to its value. Many collectors only want to have items that are in pristine condition and ideally in their original packaging. This is part of the reason that collectible toys can be worth so much – after all, most of them were originally bought to be played with, and few items survive that experience completely unscathed!  

Is it fashionable? 

Like everything else, antiques and collectibles come in and out of fashion. Last year’s bric-a-brac can suddenly become this year’s must-have vintage item. This will definitely be reflected in the prices being asked. 

Is it genuine? 

Beware of reproduction antiques and counterfeits! If something is worth money, it’s worth copying so make sure you always buy from reputable sellers and look for important details like hallmarks, makers’ marks and original paperwork. 

Does it have a great backstory? 

If an item can be linked to a famous person or event it could be worth much more. A ticket for the Titanic, for example, would have a lot more value than one from a different ocean liner that didn’t hit an iceberg.  

Will it add value to your collection?

If there’s one item missing from your collection, it might be worth paying slightly more for it as it will make the rest of your collection that much more valuable – plus you’ll have the satisfaction of owning a complete set. 

Listen to your heart 

For some people, antiques and collectibles are an investment – if that’s you, then you should look for pieces that are likely to increase in value over time. The ultimate test of whether an antique or collectible has value is to ask yourself if you love it enough to pay the asking price. If you do, then it’s worth it. To shop antiques or collectibles on bidorbuy, click here.