The Condition of Your Antique or Collectible – Value Factors

Antiques and collectibles are strongly affected by their condition when they are up for sale or when researching a value.

If an item is damaged, has been changed, reconstructed, broken or refurbished the sale price will be severely affected. Condition is approx. 50% of value of most collectibles.

Many collectibles and antiques are just stuff and by the very nature of being stuff were used for what they were intended.

There are many objects that are rare to find in mint condition or have never been used.

Another important component to keep in mind when determining a value for your item and is how complete the item is.

Check to see if anything is missing from the item and that it appears exactly as originally produced.  

Original packaging in almost all categories of collectibles and is another large factor of the value of your item.

Many items were mass produced and can still be acquired in its original packaging.

Look at it this way regarding original packaging. Two items are up for bid on the auction block, one is in the original package and the other is not. Which one would you guess will command a higher price?

Below is a simple guide to use when considering condition

Mint

Excellent

Very good

Good

Above average

Average

Below average

Poor

Collectible prices are ultimately determined by the objects condition, rarity, and desirability.

There are numerous factors that affect the ability of sellers to get the top value for an item they want to sell.

After you look at condition, scarcity and the market for that item, you then will need to look at how to sell your item. All this will bear on the value of your item.