Antiques Roadshow Guest Gets the Surprise of a Lifetime After Host Examines Her Old Family Heirloom

11. The Astonishing Valuation

It was at last time for Lark Mason to value this ancient gem after outlining the background of the monument and his belief it was from the Tang Dynasty. Mason stressed that his estimate fell on the cautious end of the spectrum even if it turned out to be astonishingly high. He claimed to have valued the old monument anywhere between $120,000 and $180,000. But as we mentioned, that estimate was on the conservative side; Mason would have placed far greater valuation for insurance needs to be safe and guarantee correct insurance coverage of the item. This appraisal attested to the historical relevance, condition, and scarcity of the monument. For many people, it was a life-changing sum even at the lower end of the projection. Mason's view of this as a modest estimate said volumes about the possible worth of the work in the proper market. Values for such rare objects might be difficult since their uniqueness makes few similar sales for reference. Given the involvement of competing museums or major collectors in the bidding, the price such a piece could attract at a specialist auction might perhaps be considerably higher.