Pawn Stars: 7 UNBELIEVABLE PROTOTYPES ARE LITERALLY PRICELESS
Pawn Stars・2 minutes read
An individual brings in various rare prototypes and items to a pawn shop, including a motor attributed to Nikola Tesla, a Boba Fett action figure, a Zippo prototype lighter, Roberto Clemente shoes, and more, with varying levels of authenticity and value. Experts examine each item, some confirming authenticity and value, while others raise doubts, leading to differing offers and decisions on whether to sell or hold onto the items.
Insights
- The pawn shop declined to purchase the Tesla motor, despite expert confirmation of its authenticity, leaving the owner disappointed and highlighting the challenges in valuing historical artifacts accurately.
- The rejection of the prototype Battleship game due to authenticity concerns underscores the complexities of assessing unique items' origins and historical significance, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and expert evaluation in determining the value of collectibles.
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Recent questions
What is Nikola Tesla's contribution to electricity?
Nikola Tesla revolutionized electricity with his alternating current motor invention, making it more efficient than direct current.
What is the significance of the 1979 Toy Fair Boba Fett prototype?
The 1979 Toy Fair Boba Fett prototype is highly sought after by Star Wars collectors due to its rarity and the fact that it was never mass-produced, making it a valuable collectible.
What is the value of the 1936 Zippo prototype lighter?
The 1936 Zippo prototype lighter, confirmed as rare by an expert, is valued at $3,000-$4,000 without original packaging, ultimately selling for $3,900 after negotiation.
Who was Roberto Clemente and why are his unworn prototypes valuable?
Roberto Clemente was a significant figure in baseball known for his humanitarian efforts. His unworn prototypes are rare and possibly worth around $1,200 to $1,500 due to their uniqueness.
What is the history behind the Battleship game prototype?
The Battleship game prototype, claimed to be authentic by the seller, was doubted by an expert who suggested it resembled a game called Salvo. The expert explained the history of board games like Battleship, mentioning variations over the years and the emergence of Battleship by Milton Bradley in 1967.
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Summary
00:00
Pawn shop evaluates rare collectibles for sale.
- The individual brings Nikola Tesla's first prototype motor from 1887 to a pawn shop, valuing it at $1 million but offering to sell it for $250,000.
- The motor was made by Tesla's assistant and sent to William A. Anthony, a Cornell professor of electrical engineering, for endorsement.
- Tesla's alternating current motor invention revolutionized electricity, making it more efficient than direct current.
- An expert, Mark, examines the motor but believes it to be a teaching version, not Tesla's original.
- Another expert, a museum curator, confirms the motor's authenticity as Tesla's, matching a patent design from 1888.
- Despite the confirmation, the pawn shop declines to purchase the motor, disappointing the owner.
- A rare 1979 Toy Fair prototype of Boba Fett, a rocket-firing action figure, is presented for sale at the pawn shop.
- The figure was never mass-produced due to safety concerns, making it highly sought after by Star Wars collectors.
- An expert confirms the figure's authenticity and rarity, valuing it at a minimum of $125,000.
- The owner declines a $100,000 offer, firm on the $150,000 price due to its investment potential.
- A 1936 Zippo prototype lighter is brought in, valued at $8,250, but later confirmed as a rare 1936 prototype by a Zippo expert.
- The expert notes unique features of the prototype, such as experimental black paint, confirming its authenticity.
- The Zippo prototype is valued at $3,000-$4,000 without original packaging, with the owner ultimately selling it for $3,900 after negotiation.
15:26
Rare Roberto Clemente Shoes Spark Valuable Debate
- The shoes are unworn Roberto Clemente prototypes, possibly valuable due to their uniqueness.
- Roberto Clemente was a significant figure in baseball, known for his humanitarian efforts.
- The shoes are rare, possibly worth around $1,200 to $1,500.
- A potential buyer offers $800 for the shoes, but the seller values them higher.
- The seller decides not to sell at the offered price, believing the shoes are worth more.
- Prototype pictures from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion are presented for sale.
- The pictures are believed to be prototypes but are deemed not authentic by a Disney expert.
- The seller is disappointed as the expert states the pictures have no significant value.
- Prototype Andre Agassi action figure, a Kenner Starting Lineup item, is showcased.
- The figure is unique, intended for a tennis line that was never released, and valued at around $1,200.
29:36
"Authenticity of Battleship Prototype Questioned"
- The seller presents an original prototype of the game Battleship, claiming it to be authentic and seeking $10,000 for it. The expert, however, doubts its authenticity, pointing out that it resembles a game called Salvo and suggests it was likely a rejected submission from the 50s or 60s, declining to purchase it.
- The expert explains the history of board games like Battleship, mentioning the difficulty in finding certain pieces like the tug boat, the variations in the game over the years, and the emergence of Battleship by Milton Bradley in 1967. The seller decides to conduct further research and sell the prototype online.
