SCAMMERS and ILLEGAL ITEMS on Pawn Stars
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The authenticity of various items, including a Monet painting, a Donald Duck bike, a piece of a $20 bill from the DB Cooper hijacking, and a tortoiseshell guitar, is called into question, leading to expert evaluations and disappointments for the sellers. Despite concerns about authenticity and legality, negotiations and deals are made on several items, highlighting the risks and rewards of the pawnshop business.
Insights
- The authenticity of items brought in for sale, such as the Monet painting and Donald Duck bike, is rigorously scrutinized, leading to disappointment for sellers when experts confirm they are not original, showcasing the prevalence of counterfeit items and the importance of thorough verification processes.
- Legal considerations play a significant role in transactions, as seen with the tortoiseshell guitar, where owning the item is legal but buying or selling it is not, highlighting the complexities of trade regulations and the necessity of consulting experts to navigate such legalities effectively.
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Recent questions
What concerns were raised about the antique ball and chain set?
They were electrically welded, not hot welded.
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Summary
00:00
Forgery and Deception: Authenticity in Antiques
- The antique ball and chain set comes from Folsom Prison in the late 1800s to 1900s, with concerns raised about their authenticity due to being electrically welded, unlike traditional hot welding.
- A customer brings in a Donald Duck bike, claiming it to be original, but it turns out to be a clone from 1953, not the 1949 original, leading to a significant drop in value.
- Ken brings in a Claude Monet painting, claiming it to be original, with provenance papers suggesting it was displayed at the Las Vegas Museum of Fine Arts and insured for 2.1 million dollars in 1997.
- Despite the documentation, Rick remains skeptical about the Monet painting's authenticity, leading to further expert inspection and doubts raised due to the lack of age-related cracks in the paint.
- A second expert confirms that the Monet painting is not authentic, as it lacks the expected age-related cracks and texture typical of Monet's work, disappointing Ken.
- A Shelby Donald Duck bike is brought in, with Rick pointing out quality issues like the tank needing restoration, leading to negotiations where the seller eventually agrees on 2250 dollars.
- The bike is later found to be fake by a restoration expert, valued at only a thousand dollars, surprising Rick and highlighting the prevalence of counterfeit items.
- A Wells Fargo strong box is inspected, with Rick initially doubting its authenticity due to the accompanying fake items, but after expert evaluation, it is deemed a complete fantasy piece, disappointing Rick.
- A seller presents a shekel of Tyre, a coin from the time of Christ, but its value is reduced due to being cleaned, leading to negotiations where the seller settles for 1600 dollars.
- Rick's associate Chum initially dismisses the Biblical coin, but Rick recognizes its significance and negotiates a deal with the seller, eventually agreeing on a price of 1600 dollars.
12:28
"Rare Coins, Stolen Cash, and Samurai Swords"
- Chum, Rick, and the old man discuss a coin purchased for $1600, believed to be one of the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas for betraying Jesus.
- The coin is flagged as stolen by the police, but it is later returned as the original owner was compensated by insurance.
- Rick is offered a piece of a $20 bill from the DB Cooper hijacking for $2000, but he negotiates down to $1600.
- The piece of the $20 bill is authenticated and found to be part of the stolen cash from the DB Cooper hijacking.
- Rick offers $1000 for the piece, concerned that the rest of the stash might be discovered, but eventually agrees to pay $1600.
- A tortoiseshell guitar is brought in for sale, but Rick discovers that selling it may be illegal due to bans on tortoiseshell trade.
- Rick consults with Jesse, who confirms that owning the guitar is legal but buying or selling it is not.
- John, the seller, leaves the store disappointed but committed to obeying the law regarding the tortoiseshell guitar.
- Chumlee buys three samurai swords for $4000, which are later appraised by an expert to be worth $13,000, with one sword being a forgery.
