Pictured above: Charles II Unite sold for
£9,750
After a really successful 2010 'free valuation' event,
auctioneers Biddle & Webb are returning to Walsall Leather
Museum on Friday 20th May.
The events are based on BBC One's Antiques Roadshow television
programme, where owners of antiques and collectibles take along
items of interest for Biddle & Webb's experts to give them an
idea as to their value.
Biddle & Webb's team of experts, including Liz Winnicott who
has extensive knowledge of 20th century and decorative arts, are
highly excited at the prospect of revisiting the leather Museum.
Last year's event turned up the find of a lifetime in the form of a
rare and precious gold coin.
Mrs Winnicott said:"I couldn't believe it when someone brought
in a first issue 1666 Charles II Unite. The vendor was the nephew
of the original purchaser who sadly died. Coins are not my area of
expertise, but it was clear that this one was very special. As our
coin specialist was not available on that particular day, I
arranged for one of my colleagues, an authority on antique gold and
silver, to visit the vendor to give him a more comprehensive
valuation.
"The Unite itself has interesting historical origins as the
sovereign was discontinued in1604 upon the accession of James VI of
Scotland to the British throne as James I of England. The Unite was
introduced to mark the unification of England and Scotland. To get
the opportunity to handle such an important piece of our history
was amazing."
The coin's value not only astounded Liz and her fellow valuers,
but the vendor was extremely delighted when it sold for
£9,750 at Biddle & Webb's silver and jewellery sale back
in November 2010.
"The coin weighed approximately 9 gms and its condition, as we
say in the trade was assessed as being very fine:" added Mrs
Winnicott.
Owners of antiques and collectables are invited to take along
interesting and old items, or ones that have been inherited and
have a fascinating history attached to them. Wares including gold,
jewellery, coins, medals, paintings, porcelain, silverware and
other collectibles that are fairly portable and easy to transport,
will all be welcome
For those visitors that have larger items such as antique
furniture for example, Biddle & Webb's expert valuation team
will be able to give owners an approximate value of if they bring a
photograph of it along with them.
The free valuation events offer a completely free "no"
obligation service. Liz will of course be attending at Walsall
Leather Museum. Other experts joining her include David Byrne who
specialises in silver and jewellery and Roy Stokes an authority on
coins, ephemera and militaria. The team will also be joined by
their managing director, Jeremy Thornton who has many areas of
expertise particularly in the field of fine art, antique furniture
and porcelain.
The event starts at 10.00 am and finishes at 2.00 pm. For more
information about Biddle & Webb visit: www.biddleandwebb.co.uk