How to Get Your Artifact Appraised

Every week, I receive photographs of objects that people believe are ancient. A Roman coin found in a field in England. A ceramic fragment pulled from a riverbank in Turkey. A stone tool inherited from a grandfather who traveled widely in the 1960s. The question is always the same: Is it real, and what is it worth?

After twenty years of appraising artifacts professionally, I can tell you that the answer matters more than most people think. An authenticated artifact with proper documentation can be worth ten to a hundred times more than the same object without it. And a forgery — no matter how convincing — is worth nothing.

This guide covers everything you need to know about getting an artifact appraised, whether you've inherited a collection, found something in the ground, or bought a piece and want to know what you actually have.

What Is an Artifact Appraisal?

An artifact appraisal is a professional evaluation of an ancient or historical object. A proper appraisal covers four things: identification (what is it?), authentication (is it genuine?), dating (how old is it?), and valuation (what is it worth on the current market?).

This is not the same as having a friend who collects coins take a look at it. A professional appraisal involves examining the object's material composition, construction technique, patina development, stylistic markers, and provenance — the documented history of where the object has been since it left the ground.

Provenance is particularly important. An Egyptian scarab with clear provenance back to a documented 1920s excavation is worth dramatically more than an identical scarab with no history. The artifact market rewards certainty, and provenance provides it.

What Does an Appraisal Include?

A good artifact appraisal should include all of the following:

Physical description. Material (bronze, ceramic, stone, glass, bone), dimensions, weight, color, and surface condition. Any repairs, restorations, or damage should be noted.

Identification and classification. What type of object it is, what culture produced it, and what period it belongs to. A Roman-era oil lamp is very different from a Byzantine oil lamp, even if they look similar to an untrained eye.

Authentication analysis. Assessment of whether the artifact is genuine. This involves examining patina, tool marks, wear patterns, and stylistic consistency with known examples. In some cases, scientific testing — thermoluminescence, XRF spectroscopy, carbon-14 dating — may be recommended.

Condition assessment. A grading of the object's preservation state, from mint to heavily damaged. Condition significantly affects value.

Market valuation. An estimate of fair market value based on recent comparable sales at major auction houses (Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Heritage Auctions) and dealer asking prices. A good appraiser will cite specific comparables.

Provenance notes. Documentation of the object's ownership history to the extent it can be established.

How Much Does Artifact Appraisal Cost?

Costs vary widely depending on the complexity of the object and the depth of analysis required. Here's what to expect:

Quick verbal assessment: Free to $25. Many appraisers, myself included, will give you an initial opinion based on photographs at no charge. This isn't a formal appraisal — it's a first look to determine whether further analysis is warranted.

Standard written appraisal: $49 to $150. This is the most common tier. You get a written report covering identification, authentication assessment, condition grading, and market valuation with comparables. I offer this at ibuyartifacts.com for $49 — it includes everything a collector or estate executor needs.

Premium authentication: $150 to $500. For high-value pieces or items where authenticity is in question, this tier includes deeper research, forgery risk analysis, and in some cases a video consultation. I offer this at ibuyartifacts.com for $149.

Scientific testing: $200 to $2,000+. Thermoluminescence dating, X-ray fluorescence, carbon-14 testing, and other laboratory analyses. These are typically arranged through specialized labs and billed separately from the appraisal itself.

Be wary of anyone charging significantly less than these ranges. A $10 "appraisal" is not an appraisal — it's a guess. And be equally wary of anyone who quotes a fee based on a percentage of the object's value. That creates an obvious conflict of interest.

How to Spot a Fake

The market for ancient artifacts is flooded with forgeries. Some are crude tourist reproductions, easily identified. Others are sophisticated enough to fool experienced collectors. Here are the things I look for:

Patina. Genuine ancient bronze develops a layered patina over centuries — greens, blues, browns, sometimes with mineral accretions from the burial environment. Fake patina is applied chemically and tends to be uniform, too smooth, and sometimes flakes when scratched.

Wear patterns. A genuine artifact shows wear consistent with its supposed use. A Roman coin should show wear on the high points of the portrait and lettering. A tool should show edge damage consistent with actual use. Fakes often show either no wear or artificially uniform distressing.

Weight and density. This sounds basic, but an experienced handler can often tell a genuine bronze artifact from a modern reproduction simply by feel. Ancient bronze alloys have different tin-to-copper ratios than modern bronze, which affects weight and resonance.

Stylistic consistency. Every ancient culture had characteristic artistic conventions. Egyptian art follows strict proportional rules. Greek pottery painters used specific slip techniques. A forger who doesn't understand these conventions will make mistakes that a trained eye catches immediately.

Provenance gaps. If someone has a "genuine" artifact but can't tell you where it came from, that's a red flag. Not definitive — many legitimate pieces have lost their documentation over the decades — but it should make you cautious.

When You Need an Appraisal

There are several situations where a professional appraisal isn't optional — it's essential:

Insurance. If you're insuring a collection, your insurer will require a current appraisal from a qualified professional. Appraisals for insurance purposes should reflect replacement value, which is typically higher than fair market value.

Estate settlement. When a collector passes away, the estate needs appraisals for tax purposes and equitable distribution among heirs. This is the single most common reason people contact me.

Before selling. Selling an artifact without knowing its value is like selling a house without a comparable market analysis. You'll either price too high and never sell, or price too low and leave money on the table.

Before buying. If you're considering a significant purchase, a pre-purchase appraisal can save you from buying a fake or an overpriced piece. The cost of an appraisal is trivial compared to the cost of a bad purchase.

Donation. Donating artifacts to a museum or institution requires an appraisal for tax deduction purposes. The IRS has specific requirements for appraisals of donated property valued over $5,000.

How to Submit an Artifact for Appraisal

If you want a professional opinion on an artifact you own, here's the process I recommend:

Step 1: Photograph it well. Take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles. Include a ruler or coin for scale. Photograph any inscriptions, marks, damage, or distinctive features. Natural daylight is best — avoid flash.

Step 2: Document what you know. Write down everything you know about the object's history. Where did you get it? Was it inherited? Purchased? Found? Do you have any paperwork, receipts, or prior appraisals? Every piece of information helps.

Step 3: Submit to an appraiser. You can submit your photographs and documentation to me at ibuyartifacts.com. I'll give you a free initial assessment, and if you want a full written report, the standard appraisal is $49.

I've appraised everything from Roman glass to Pre-Columbian jade to Bronze Age weaponry. Whatever you've got, I've probably seen something like it. And if I haven't, that makes it even more interesting.

The ancient world produced objects of extraordinary beauty and craftsmanship. Many of them are still out there — in attics, estate sales, flea markets, and family collections. Some are worth a few dollars. Some are worth a fortune. The only way to know is to have someone who knows what they're looking at take a proper look.

That's what I do. And after twenty years, I still find it fascinating every single time.

Ready to get your artifact appraised? Submit your photos at ibuyartifacts.com. Free initial assessment, professional written reports starting at $49.