Show can give value of collectibles

Old comic books in the attic or the painting you’ve had in a box for years might be worth something, and the Ohio Valley Gold and Silver Refinery might be willing to take those things off your hands.

The company will have representatives at the Ironton City Center from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, through Friday, May 13, and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14.

People can bring in their antiques, collectibles, metals and coins, and the representative will determine how much they are willing to offer in exchange for the item.

The process is free and doesn’t require an appointment. Matthew Enright, president of media for Ohio Valley Gold and Silver Refinery, said that upon arrival with their items, people are given numbers. When the number is called, the person goes to the expert to determine if it is something they can purchase.

“There’s no limit to the amount of items you can bring in,” Enright said. He said the entire process takes about 15 minutes.

“If you come in and have items looked at, want to sell, and are happy with the price, then you are paid, and then they ship it to the collectors,” Enright said.

There aren’t restrictions as to the type of items that can be looked at.

“There’s really not anything we’re not looking for,” he said. “Comics, books, old paintings, toys. Even furniture. We look at everything.”

Enright said someone once even brought in an old electric chair. He added that more popular items right now include gold, silver and coins, followed by guitars and pocket watches, as well as old currency.

Enright said that if there is an item that the representative isn’t sure about, cameras at most of the shows can enable the research department to examine the item remotely.

“We have access to resources nobody else in the country does,” Enright said. “We very rarely get stumped on an item.”

Enright also said if a person isn’t sure a coin is really gold or silver, they do free testing. And he had a bit of advice for people bringing their items in.

“Don’t clean anything, especially coins,” he said. “A lot of people start to take tarnish off of toys or put silver cleaner on coins. It devalues the items.”