How do I find out what my antique is worth?

Start by identifying the maker using marks, stamps, or signatures. Then search eBay completed listings (filter to Sold) for recent sales of similar items. For higher-value pieces, check LiveAuctioneers or Worthpoint for auction house records. If the piece appears to be worth more than $500, consider a certified appraiser.

What is the difference between appraised value and what I can sell it for?

Appraised value (also called fair market value or replacement value) reflects what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in the open market. If you sell to a dealer, expect 30 to 50 percent of appraised value because dealers must profit on resale. At auction you may receive 50 to 80 percent of appraised retail value depending on demand.

Does age alone make something valuable?

No. Age is one factor among many. A mass-produced item from 1880 may be worth less than a rare limited-production item from 1950. Value depends on rarity, maker, condition, and current collector demand more than age alone.

How much does a professional antique appraisal cost?

Certified appraisers typically charge $200 to $400 per hour or a flat fee per item. An online appraisal service costs $10 to $30 per item. Auction houses often provide free verbal estimates if you are considering consigning with them. Never pay an appraiser a percentage of the assessed value.

Does a chip or crack significantly reduce an antique's value?

Yes. A chip on glassware or pottery can reduce value by 50 to 70 percent even if the damage is minor. Hairline cracks reduce value 40 to 60 percent. Repairs must always be disclosed and typically reduce value by 30 to 60 percent depending on the quality of the restoration.

Where is the best place to sell antiques?

eBay reaches the most buyers and typically delivers the best prices for common collectibles. For high-value pieces ($500 or more), regional auction houses and national houses like Heritage Auctions often outperform eBay. Antique dealers offer convenience but pay wholesale prices. Estate sale companies work well for selling large collections quickly.

Antique Valuation Guide: How to Find Out What Your Antiques Are Worth

Last Updated: March 2026

Inherited a piece from a grandparent? Found something at an estate sale? Before you sell, donate, or display it, you need to know what it is worth. This antique valuation guide walks you through every method professionals use — from free online research to formal appraisals — so you can get an accurate price for any antique you own.

The 5 Factors That Determine Antique Value

Professional appraisers weigh five core variables when placing a value on any antique. Understanding these factors lets you make a reasonable estimate before spending money on a formal appraisal.

1. Maker and Authenticity

A signed piece by a recognized maker is almost always worth more than an unsigned example of the same item. Marks, signatures, paper labels, backstamps, and hallmarks tell appraisers who made a piece and when. A piece of Fenton art glass signed on the base with the oval Fenton logo is worth two to four times an identical unsigned piece from the same era.

Maker matters most in:

Silver and silverplate (sterling hallmarks, maker’s marks)
Porcelain and pottery (backstamps, impressed marks)
Art glass (signatures, stickers, etched marks)
Furniture (stencils, paper labels, branded hardware)

2. Condition

Condition is the single largest variable in price. A mint-condition piece can be worth five to ten times a damaged example of the same item. Chips, cracks, repairs, repainting, and replaced parts all reduce value significantly. See the condition grade chart below for a full breakdown.

3. Rarity

How many examples exist? A depression glass pattern that was only produced for one year in one color will always command a premium over a pattern made for a decade. Limited production runs, prototype pieces, and trial colors are the most valuable items in almost every collecting category.

4. Provenance

Documented history adds value. If you can prove a piece was owned by a notable person, came from a significant collection, or has been exhibited in a museum, that documentation increases the price. Provenance includes: original receipts, auction records, estate inventories, photographs showing the piece in historical context, and letters of authenticity.

5. Market Demand

Value is ultimately what a buyer will pay. Hummel figurines were worth hundreds of dollars each in the 1980s and 1990s when the collecting generation was at peak buying age. Today most common Hummels sell for $10 to $30 because the collector base has aged. Demand shifts with generations, trends, and media attention.

How to Research Your Antique’s Value

Before you pay for an appraisal, spend 30 minutes doing free research. Here is the professional workflow:

Identify the maker and period. Look for marks on the bottom, back, or underside of the piece. Use our category guides below to identify marks for your specific type of antique.
Search completed eBay listings. Go to eBay, search your item, then filter to “Sold Items” on the left sidebar. This shows what people actually paid, not just asking prices.
Check Worthpoint or LiveAuctioneers. These sites aggregate auction results from thousands of auction houses. Results are more representative than retail asking prices.
Compare condition carefully. A “mint” price does not apply to a piece with a chip. Adjust your estimate down based on damage.
Find three comparable sales. One data point is not a value. Find at least three recent (within 12 months) sales of similar items in similar condition.

Free Online Valuation Tools

Tool	Best For	Cost
eBay Completed Listings	Anything sold at retail or collector level	Free
LiveAuctioneers	Auction house results for mid to high value pieces	Free (basic)
Worthpoint	Deep auction history, pattern identification	Subscription
Invaluable.com	Fine art and higher-end antiques	Free
Heritage Auctions Archives	Coins, jewelry, pop culture collectibles	Free
Replacements Ltd.	China and silver patterns	Free
Google Lens	Visual identification of unknown pieces	Free

Tip: Replacements Ltd. lists thousands of patterns for Noritake, Lenox, Wedgwood, and other china brands. Their retail price list is useful for setting a ceiling — you will sell for less, but it tells you the piece has value.

How to Use Auction Records

Auction records are the gold standard for antique valuation. They represent real transactions between motivated buyers and sellers. Here is how to read them correctly:

Hammer Price vs. Buyer’s Premium

Auction houses add a buyer’s premium (typically 20 to 30 percent) on top of the hammer price. When you see “sold for $500,” that is usually the hammer price. The actual buyer paid $600 to $650 after the premium. When valuing your piece, use the hammer price as the baseline.

Retail vs. Auction vs. Dealer Wholesale

These are three different markets with very different prices:

Retail (antique shop, Etsy): Highest prices. Expect to pay full asking price.
Auction: Typically 30 to 50 percent below retail for common items; can exceed retail for rare pieces with competitive bidding.
Dealer wholesale (what a dealer pays you): Typically 30 to 50 percent of retail. Dealers must profit on resale.

Regional Price Variation

New England furniture commands premiums in New England but may sell for less in other regions. Ohio pottery (Rookwood, Roseville, Weller) often sells for more in the Midwest where it was made. Price research should ideally reflect your local market or major national auction results.

Understanding Condition Grades

Most antique categories use a standardized condition grading system. Applying the correct grade is essential for accurate valuation.

Grade	Description	Price Effect
Mint / Museum Quality	Perfect, no flaws, as made. Original labels or packaging intact.	Full value (100%)
Excellent	Minor surface wear only, no chips, cracks, or repairs.	75–90% of mint
Very Good	Light use wear, may have minor fading or small scratches.	50–75% of mint
Good	Clearly used, may have minor chips, fleabites, or small repairs.	25–50% of mint
Fair / As Found	Significant wear, chips, cracks, or replaced parts.	10–25% of mint
Poor	Major damage, significant repairs, or missing components.	5–10% of mint

Damage That Most Affects Value

Chips on glass or pottery rims: Even a small chip reduces value 50 to 70 percent
Hairline cracks: Reduce value 40 to 60 percent
Repairs or restorations: Must be disclosed; reduce value 30 to 60 percent
Replaced parts (hardware, handles): Reduce furniture value 20 to 40 percent
Fading or color loss: Reduce value 20 to 40 percent
Missing pieces from a set: Reduces set value dramatically; individual pieces may have minimal value

When to Get a Professional Appraisal

Not every antique needs a paid appraisal. Here is when it makes sense:

Get an Appraisal When:

You are insuring a piece for more than $1,000
You are donating to a museum or charitable organization and need a tax deduction
You are settling an estate or going through a divorce
You have a piece that online research suggests is worth $500 or more
The piece has unusual marks, signatures, or provenance you cannot identify

Types of Appraisers

Certified Appraisers (ASA, AAA, ISA): Most credible. Required for insurance, IRS donations, and legal purposes. Expect to pay $200 to $400 per hour or per piece.
Auction house specialists: Often offer free verbal appraisals if you are considering consigning. They may undervalue to secure your consignment.
Antique dealers: Can give you a buy offer but have a financial interest in offering a low price.
Online appraisal services (JustAnswer, ValueMyStuff): Reasonable for a quick assessment. Results are generally fair but carry less weight for legal or insurance purposes.

Appraisal Red Flags

Any appraiser who charges a percentage of the appraised value (conflict of interest)
Appraisers who offer to buy the piece they just appraised
Appraisals completed in minutes without thorough examination

Value Guides by Category

Use these guides for category-specific identification and current market values:

Glass

Pottery and Kitchenware

China and Porcelain

Silverware and Jewelry

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out what my antique is worth?: Start by identifying the maker using marks, stamps, or signatures. Then search eBay completed listings for recent sales of similar items. For higher-value pieces, check LiveAuctioneers or Worthpoint. If the piece appears to be worth more than $500, consider a certified appraiser.
What is the difference between appraised value and what I can sell it for?: Appraised value reflects what a willing buyer would pay in the open market. If you sell to a dealer, expect 30 to 50 percent of appraised value because dealers must profit on resale. At auction you may receive 50 to 80 percent depending on demand.
Does age alone make something valuable?: No. Age is one factor among many. A mass-produced item from 1880 may be worth less than a rare limited-production item from 1950. Value depends on rarity, maker, condition, and current collector demand more than age alone.
How much does a professional antique appraisal cost?: Certified appraisers typically charge $200 to $400 per hour. Online appraisal services cost $10 to $30 per item. Auction houses often provide free verbal estimates if you are considering consigning with them.
Does a chip or crack reduce an antique’s value?: Yes, significantly. A chip on glassware or pottery reduces value by 50 to 70 percent. Hairline cracks reduce value 40 to 60 percent. Repairs must always be disclosed and typically reduce value 30 to 60 percent.
Where is the best place to sell antiques?: eBay reaches the most buyers and typically delivers the best prices for common collectibles. For high-value pieces, regional or national auction houses often outperform eBay. Antique dealers offer convenience but pay wholesale prices.