| If you have gold, silver, antiques or other rare | | | | A collector who is interested in that specific item can |
| collectibles lying around your house, the Treasure | | | | be reached directly during the show, or an expert will |
| Hunters Roadshow wants to see them. | | | | determine its value, and the owner typically makes a |
| The International Collectors Association, based in | | | | sale at the show, Mr. Enright said. |
| Springfield, Ill., is bringing its five-day roadshow to the | | | | The association does not use licensed appraisers, but |
| Quad-Cities for the first time this week, starting | | | | can give reliable market values for pieces. If a buyer |
| Tuesday at La Quinta Inn, 5450 27th St., Moline. | | | | cannot be found, the owner will be referred to one |
| “What we’ve really seen a ton of is gold and | | | | who may be interested in the item. |
| silver,” Matthew Enright, the association’s | | | | The treasure hunters are interested in seeing items |
| director of operations, said recently. “As the | | | | such as coins and paper money issued before 1964, |
| dollar gets weaker, gold and silver go up in value. The | | | | toys, dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, old and modern |
| gold market is through the roof.” | | | | musical instruments, war memorabilia, advertising |
| “People are bringing in broken chains, necklaces. | | | | memorabilia, swords and knives. |
| People are taking advantage of the market,” he | | | | Mr. Enright noted an item doesn’t have to be old |
| said. | | | | to be valuable – just unusual and in the best |
| One man last week in South Dakota brought in a | | | | possible condition. |
| handful of old silver dollars and 50-cent pieces, and he | | | | “It has to do with the rarity of the item,” he |
| walked out with more than $4,000, Mr. Enright said. | | | | said. “It could be coins from 2000. A businessman |
| “The guy was blown away,” he said. | | | | invested in new gold coins in early 2000. He paid |
| The treasure hunters make offers based on what | | | | $1,200 for high grade, minted coins and he ended up |
| collectors are willing to pay. When someone decides | | | | walking out with a $40,000 check. |
| to sell, he or she gets paid on the spot, and the | | | | Over the past year, the show typically attracts 1,000 |
| treasure hunters send the item to the collector, Mr. | | | | to 1,500 people over the week, Mr. Enright said. The |
| Enright said. | | | | tough economy hasn’t necessarily boosted those |
| Part of a nationwide tour, the Treasure Hunters | | | | numbers, he added. |
| Roadshow launched 15 years ago and has been all | | | | Collectors – who also are welcome to visit the |
| over Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, he | | | | show – are very serious about their hobby, and |
| said. | | | | are willing to pay top dollar for items they want, Mr. |
| The association works with 6,500 collectors from all | | | | Enright said. |
| over the world and has allocated $712,000 to spend | | | | Nearly all coins, jewelry, musical instruments and toys |
| this week on antiques and collectibles, Mr. Enright said. | | | | made before 1965 are highly sought after by |
| “We’re looking for items like Civil War | | | | collectors, he said. |
| swords, old Gibson guitars from the ’30s and | | | | The show runs at LaQuinta Inn from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| ’40s,” he said. “People bring in these | | | | Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For |
| items, sign in, get a number, and they sit in front of | | | | more information, call (217) 523-4225. |
| an appraiser.” | | | | |