Follow These Tips To Find Out If You Have Valuable Family Heirlooms

Heirlooms present a specific piece of property in possession of a family for generations, passed on from father to son, and every next heir in line. The property, over decades, can become valuable depending on its historical significance and connection to the period. Heirlooms often have more of a sentimental value, although in most cases they do possess market and trading value as well, as the heirloom is an inseparable part of the family’s history and its origin. 

The heirlooms are often connected to a specific story, have a unique background, and can be traced back to their very beginnings. Of course, heirlooms in dynasties are very well preserved, however, most families often come across valuable heirlooms in their attics and strike gold. If you are interested in whether you have any valuables hanging around, follow these simple and easy steps.

monochrome photo of old pictures

Know your history

Before sniffing around looking for valuables, know your history. Tracing back your family’s history can narrow down the search. If your grandfather or mother or their parents have been involved in major historical events, whether they lived in a specific time or period of significance, whether you have heard or read about some anecdotes surrounding your family name or history. 

Researching about such topics might help you figure out if you, by any chance, are a member of a long family line going back decades, maybe even a century or two. Look at both sides of your family, your father’s and mother’s name, and make sure to pay a visit to your grandparents as the older generations usually are better informed and are eager to share their knowledge. 

If some member of your family, even a distant cousin by any chance, has lived or participated in any significant historical movement or event, chances are you might have something of value around.

What can be a valuable heirloom

History finds any evidence of significance valuable and collectors might be interested in almost anything. From a small retro gas sign from the ’50s to letters, journals, old books, and postmarks. Especially postmarks that are collectors’ favorites, then again look for your grandfather’s watch, pictures, and even if you have an old Bible around as they are known to have market value and are easily sold. 

Another valuable item can be a coin from a specific historical period. If your father was born in the late 60s, chances are you are in possession of a 1977 Jubilee crown coin, and they are nowadays sought after by many coin collectors. The specific coin falls under the category of commemorative coins and is valuable due to its rarity and the fact that commemorative coins were made for a specific reason and event, and are therefore immensely valuable. 

They often represent the celebration of an important historical moment and are a remembrance of those times now long gone. If you happen to come across such coins in your grandmother’s drawer or the attic, look for a collector rather than a pawn shop.

Do extensive research

Every object of the house seemingly older than the rest can be a potential heirloom and have value. Do your research and look for whatever might be of value and seems older and worn out. If you are out of luck, ask your grandparents whether they might be in the possession of a valuable object, an heirloom they inherited from their parents, mother to daughter, father to son.

Pay a visit to the local museum and archive

Unfortunately, chances are you do not have any anecdotes or legends surrounding your family name, however, if you pay a visit to the local museum or archive, you might find something on the origin of your name and your family tree. Furthermore, historical documents are maintained in archives, so you may learn whether your forefathers left anything, where it will be kept safe and secure, and, if so, how much it is worth.

You can find out whether there is anything left, as individuals regularly gave their assets to museums and archives throughout the 1950s. Sometimes the goods left to museums are given as gifts, and therefore you have no legal claim to it; but, if it was provided for exhibition, you still have a legal claim.

Heirlooms have been a known tradition for centuries, even millennia, a way of securing items of significance and keeping them in the family. Prior to the modern age, inheriting something from your mother, father or predecessor was common practice. Today, most valuables are lost due to a lack of interest and families growing apart.

Krystal | Sunny Sweet Days
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